An Arizona death row inmate, Aaron Brian Gunches, has requested an expedited execution, prompting a resumption of the state's death penalty process after a two-year hiatus. Gunches, who represents himself, submitted a handwritten petition to the Arizona Supreme Court, urging a mid-February execution date for the 2002 murder of Ted Price.
Gunches argues that his execution is "long overdue" and criticizes the state's delay in scheduling necessary legal briefings. His request bypasses the previously planned execution schedule.
The Attorney General's Office, while seeking Gunches' execution, counters that a detailed briefing period is essential for corrections officials to ensure compliance with execution protocols, such as procuring and testing the lethal injection drugs.
This request marks a significant development following a two-year review of Arizona's death penalty procedures. Governor Katie Hobbs' office previously cited a lack of trained personnel and concerns about potential legal issues as reasons for pausing executions. The review's conclusion, marked by the dismissal of the appointed review head in November, allowed the state to re-engage in the process.
Gunches pleaded guilty to the murder of Price, a crime that occurred in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa. Arizona previously held three executions in 2022, bringing a conclusion to a nearly eight-year pause. Concerns, arising from a 2014 botched execution and challenges in procuring execution drugs, played a key role. The state's recent procedure has also faced criticism for its handling of IV insertion during lethal injections.
