After more than two decades on death row, an Arizona murderer has now requested that the state put him to death within a few weeks.
After a two-year break as the state examined its processes, Arizona would resume using the capital penalty with Aaron Brian Gunches’ now-hopeful execution.
Gunches, who was found guilty of murder in the 2002 murder of Ted Price, asked the state Supreme Court this week in a handwritten court file to set his execution date for mid-February.
He requested that the court forego the formalities and set an earlier date for his execution.
Gunches, who is defending himself and is not an attorney, claimed that the state is taking too long to provide a legal briefing schedule before the execution and that his death sentence is long overdue.
In order to make sure that correctional officials can fulfill execution criteria, like testing for the pentobarbital that will be used in Gunches’ lethal injection, Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office, which is pursuing Gunches’ execution, has asked for a briefing timetable.
Two years ago, Gunches asked the Arizona Supreme Court to grant his execution warrant, arguing that this would bring justice and closure to the families of the victims.
The execution of Gunches was scheduled for April 2023. But according to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ office, the state lacked the execution-related knowledge necessary to implement the death penalty.
Democratic candidate Hobbs pledged to hold off on carrying out any executions until the state was certain it could do so without violating any laws.
By firing the former federal magistrate judge she had designated to head the study, Hobbs essentially put a stop to the review she had authorized in November.
Gunches entered a guilty plea to murder in connection with the shooting death of Price, the ex-husband of his girlfriend, close to the Mesa suburb of Phoenix.
After a nearly eight-year break due to criticism of a botched 2014 execution and issues getting execution chemicals, Arizona, which has 111 death row inmates, last performed three executions in 2022.
Since then, the state has come under fire for waiting too long to give a convicted prisoner an intravenous fatal injection.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.