An Arizona man has been sitting on death row for two decades. He asked to be executed next month
4 days, 7 hours ago

An Arizona man has been sitting on death row for two decades. He asked to be executed next month

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Aaron Brian Gunches' now hopeful execution would mark a resumption of Arizona’s use of the death penalty after a two-year pause while it reviewed its procedures. In a handwritten court filing this week, Gunches asked the state Supreme Court to schedule his execution for mid-February for his murder conviction in the 2002 killing of Ted Price. open image in gallery Aaron Brian Gunches has asked an Arizona court to schedule his execution for earlier than officials had planned Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office, which is seeking Gunches’ execution, said a briefing schedule is needed to ensure corrections officials can meet execution requirements, such as testing for the pentobarbital that will be used for his lethal injection. Two years ago, Gunches asked the Arizona Supreme Court to issue his execution warrant, saying justice could be served and the victim’s families could get closure.

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History of this topic

Arizona executions to resume, breaking 2-year pause
1 month, 1 week ago

Arizona executions to resume, breaking 2-year pause

LA Times  

Gen. Kris Mayes said her office has been working with state corrections officials to improve procedures as it prepares to resume use of the death penalty. Mayes said her office had been preparing to resume the use of the death penalty in Arizona since earlier this year as it worked with state corrections officials to review and improve procedures. Katie …

Arizona executions to resume, breaking 2-year pause during review of state death penalty procedures
1 month, 1 week ago

Arizona executions to resume, breaking 2-year pause during review of state death penalty procedures

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Executions will resume in Arizona following a two-year pause, the state’s top prosecutor says. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Wednesday that she will soon seek an execution warrant for Aaron Brian Gunches, who is on death row after being convicted of killing his girlfriend’s ex-husband. Mayes said her …

5 U.S. death row inmates were executed in one week, the most in decades
3 months, 1 week ago

5 U.S. death row inmates were executed in one week, the most in decades

LA Times  

Death row inmates in five states have been put to death in the span of one week, an unusually high number of executions that defies a yearslong trend of decline in both the use and support of the death penalty in the U.S. Two more death row inmates, in Missouri and Texas, were pronounced dead Tuesday evening following executions, and …

A Florida man set to be executed this week appeals to the US Supreme Court for a stay
4 months, 1 week ago

A Florida man set to be executed this week appeals to the US Supreme Court for a stay

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida man scheduled to be put to death on Thursday is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to delay his execution so that his challenge to Florida’s lethal injection procedures can be heard. On Monday, Cole appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the execution, arguing that his challenge of the state’s lethal injection procedures deserves …

The Astonishing Lengths Samuel Alito Will Go to Execute Death Row Inmates
6 months, 4 weeks ago

The Astonishing Lengths Samuel Alito Will Go to Execute Death Row Inmates

Slate  

This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slate’s coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. During oral argument, Justice Samuel Alito, who would end up writing the majority opinion, likened the defendant to “Hannibal Lecter.” Related From Slate This Should Be a Wake-Up Call to the Biden Administration on the Death Penalty Justice Neil Gorsuch, notoriously impatient with …

Man put to death for 1993 killing of ex-girlfriend, Georgia’s first execution in years
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Man put to death for 1993 killing of ex-girlfriend, Georgia’s first execution in years

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Ga. — A Georgia man convicted of the killing of his former girlfriend three decades ago was put to death Wednesday evening in the state’s first execution in more than four years. Pye’s lawyers filed late appeals urging the U.S. Supreme Court to step in, but the justices unanimously rejected to stop the execution. Pye’s lawyers had argued in …

In Georgia’s first execution in years, man who killed ex-girlfriend is put to death
9 months, 2 weeks ago

In Georgia’s first execution in years, man who killed ex-girlfriend is put to death

LA Times  

Willie James Pye was executed in Georgia on Wednesday night after a late appeal failed to persuade the Supreme Court to intervene. A Georgia man convicted of the killing of his former girlfriend three decades ago was put to death Wednesday evening in the state’s first execution in more than four years. Pye’s lawyers filed late appeals urging the U.S. …

Lawsuit protesting Arizona governor’s refusal to execute prisoner dismissed
1 year, 6 months ago

Lawsuit protesting Arizona governor’s refusal to execute prisoner dismissed

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A lawsuit that alleged Arizona Gov. The lawsuit dismissed Thursday had tried unsuccessfully to force the Democratic governor, who had ordered a review of Arizona’s death penalty protocols because of the state’s history of mismanaged executions, to carry out the execution of Aaron Gunches for his murder conviction in the 2002 killing of Ted Price. Democratic Attorney General …

Arizona man on death row for 29 years is released after conviction for girl’s murder is thrown out
1 year, 6 months ago

Arizona man on death row for 29 years is released after conviction for girl’s murder is thrown out

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Barry Lee Jones, 64, was accused of murder, …

Man executed in Florida for woman’s 1986 stabbing death
1 year, 8 months ago

Man executed in Florida for woman’s 1986 stabbing death

Associated Press  

STARKE, Fla. — A Florida man was executed Wednesday for breaking into a woman’s home and stabbing her to death in 1986, a crime committed months after he was released from prison for a rape. Barwick didn’t meet in person with family members in his final hours, but had spoken with them by phone in recent days, prison officials said …

Arizona Supreme Court rejects bid to reschedule execution
1 year, 9 months ago

Arizona Supreme Court rejects bid to reschedule execution

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In late March, the state Supreme Court rejected a …

Arizona governor blasted for plans to defy execution order
1 year, 9 months ago

Arizona governor blasted for plans to defy execution order

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. The newly elected Democratic governor vowed nearly two weeks ago that she wouldn’t carry out the Arizona Supreme Court’s order to execute Aaron Gunches on April 6, citing a review that she has ordered of death penalty protocols due to Arizona’s history of mismanaging executions. Dale Baich, a former federal public defender who teaches death penalty …

Arizona governor won’t proceed with execution set by court
1 year, 10 months ago

Arizona governor won’t proceed with execution set by court

LA Times  

Katie Hobbs has vowed not to allow an execution that the state Supreme Court scheduled over the objections of the state’s new attorney general. The Democratic governor’s promise Friday not to execute Aaron Gunches on April 6 for a 2002 killing came a day after Arizona’s high court said it must grant an execution warrant if certain appellate proceedings have …

Hobbs vows not to carry out execution scheduled by court
1 year, 10 months ago

Hobbs vows not to carry out execution scheduled by court

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Katie Hobbs vowed Friday that her administration won't carry …

Retired judge picked to review Arizona’s execution process
1 year, 10 months ago

Retired judge picked to review Arizona’s execution process

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A retired federal magistrate judge was appointed to review the execution process in Arizona as part of an examination ordered by Gov. Katie Hobbs of procurement of lethal injection drugs and other death penalty protocols due to the state’s history of mismanaging executions. While Hobbs didn’t declare a moratorium on the death penalty, Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes …

Racism, gruesome errors, and botched executions: Inside America’s four-person, 48-hour execution spree
2 years, 1 month ago

Racism, gruesome errors, and botched executions: Inside America’s four-person, 48-hour execution spree

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. To make matters worse, Kat Jutras of Death …

After difficulties with injection, Alabama cancels execution greenlighted by Supreme Court
2 years, 1 month ago

After difficulties with injection, Alabama cancels execution greenlighted by Supreme Court

LA Times  

Kenneth Eugene Smith, 57, was sentenced to death in the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher’s wife and was to have been executed Thursday. Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said prison staff tried for about an hour to get the two required intravenous lines connected to Kenneth Eugene Smith, 57. The postponement came after Smith’s final appeals, which …

Man sentenced to death over jury’s wish seeks execution stay
2 years, 1 month ago

Man sentenced to death over jury’s wish seeks execution stay

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala — Lawyers on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the upcoming execution of an Alabama man who was sentenced to death over the jury’s wishes — a punishment he could not receive today since states no longer allow judicial override. Alabama in 2017 became the last state to abolish the practice of letting judges override a …

Judge keeps Arizona execution plan on track for Wednesday
2 years, 1 month ago

Judge keeps Arizona execution plan on track for Wednesday

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Plans to execute an Arizona man on Wednesday remain on track after a judge refused to postpone the lethal injection, rejecting a bid to allow fingerprint and DNA testing on evidence from two 1980s killings that led to the inmate’s death sentence. U.S. District Judge Stephen McNamee wrote in Monday’s order that the argument by Hooper’s lawyers was …

Lawyers for Arizona inmate facing execution file new appeal
2 years, 2 months ago

Lawyers for Arizona inmate facing execution file new appeal

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Lawyers for an Arizona death row inmate scheduled to be executed on Nov. 16 have filed a new appeal. Murray Hooper’s attorneys filed another petition for post-conviction relief Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court, saying “newly discovered material facts” have been discovered in the case and the 76-year-old inmate should be entitled to a new trial. Hooper and …

High court told jurors were misled in Arizona death row case
2 years, 2 months ago

High court told jurors were misled in Arizona death row case

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A lawyer for a man on Arizona’s death row told the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday that jurors in the case were wrongly told that the only way to ensure the man would never walk free was to sentence him to death. At least one juror has said that had she known that a “life sentence without parole” …

Inmate’s failed testing bid keeps Arizona execution on track
2 years, 2 months ago

Inmate’s failed testing bid keeps Arizona execution on track

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — An execution planned next month for an Arizona prisoner remains on track after a judge rejected the condemned man’s request to have fingerprint and DNA tests conducted on evidence from the two 1980 killings for which he’s scheduled to be put to death. In a decision released Monday, Superior Court Judge Jennifer Green said the evidence implicating Hooper …

Arizona death row inmate seeks forensic tests in 1980 deaths
2 years, 2 months ago

Arizona death row inmate seeks forensic tests in 1980 deaths

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A judge is mulling an Arizona death row prisoner’s request to have fingerprint and DNA tests conducted on evidence from the two 1980 killings for which he is scheduled to be executed next month. Hooper is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection or lethal gas at a prison in Florence, Arizona, on Nov. 16 for the killings …

Judge dismisses lawsuit over upcoming lethal injection
2 years, 2 months ago

Judge dismisses lawsuit over upcoming lethal injection

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala — A federal judge dismissed an inmate’s claim seeking to block his upcoming execution in Alabama because of reported problems at a recent lethal injection. But U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. also warned Alabama’s prison commissioner to strictly follow established protocol when officials attempt to put Smith to death next month. Smith’s attorneys pointed to a …

Arizona Supreme Court could issue execution warrant Oct. 12
2 years, 4 months ago

Arizona Supreme Court could issue execution warrant Oct. 12

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court said Wednesday that a warrant of execution for death row inmate Murray Hooper could be issued in two months. A briefing schedule issued by the state’s high court shows the state’s motion for an execution warrant must be filed by the end of the week. If the motion is granted when the court considers …

Judge mulls Arizona prisoner’s request to delay execution
2 years, 7 months ago

Judge mulls Arizona prisoner’s request to delay execution

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A federal judge is considering whether to postpone the execution of an Arizona prisoner who argues the state’s death penalty procedures would violate his rights by subjecting him to unimaginable pain. Two weeks ago, Atwood declined to choose between lethal injection or the gas chamber, leaving him to be put to death by lethal injection, the state’s default …

Board rejects Arizona death-row prisoner’s clemency bid
2 years, 7 months ago

Board rejects Arizona death-row prisoner’s clemency bid

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Arizona’s clemency board has declined to recommend to Gov. The decision by the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency on Tuesday at the state prison in Florence marks one of the last steps before Frank Atwood’s execution in the 1984 killing of Vicki Hoskinson. Board members made the decision after hearing from Hoskinson’s mother, Debbie Carlson, who described her …

As execution warrant lapses, families tell AP grief is fresh
2 years, 7 months ago

As execution warrant lapses, families tell AP grief is fresh

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The families of two young girls who were abducted and attacked 46 years ago by a Georgia man who was scheduled to be put to death last week say they are “deeply upset and disappointed” that the execution was halted by a judge and the death warrant was allowed to expire Tuesday. Lisa Smith, Lori’s older sister, said …

Execution for Georgia man who killed girl temporarily stayed
2 years, 7 months ago

Execution for Georgia man who killed girl temporarily stayed

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A judge on Monday temporarily delayed the execution of a Georgia man who was scheduled to die Tuesday for killing an 8-year-old girl 46 years ago. The lawsuit filed on behalf of the Federal Defender Program, which represents Presnell, alleges the agreement said that, with one named exception, executions wouldn’t resume until six months after three conditions had …

Execution ends Arizona 8-year hiatus with the death penalty
2 years, 7 months ago

Execution ends Arizona 8-year hiatus with the death penalty

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Arizona’s nearly eight-year hiatus in using the death penalty ended with the execution of Clarence Dixon for killing a college student 44 years ago, making him the sixth person to be put to death in the U.S. so far this year. Dixon’s death Wednesday for the 1978 killing of 21-year-old Arizona State University student Deana Bowdoin broke the …

Execution ends Arizona 8-year hiatus with the death penalty
2 years, 7 months ago

Execution ends Arizona 8-year hiatus with the death penalty

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Arizona’s nearly eight-year hiatus in …

Appeals court denies Arizona inmate’s bid to avoid execution
2 years, 7 months ago

Appeals court denies Arizona inmate’s bid to avoid execution

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected a request to postpone the planned execution of an Arizona prisoner in what would be the state’s first use of the death penalty in nearly eight years. The Arizona Supreme Court on Monday declined to review a state judge’s decision that rejected Dixon’s arguments, leading his attorneys to introduce similar claims …

Arizona executes first prisoner in nearly eight years after Supreme Court declines to hear case
2 years, 7 months ago

Arizona executes first prisoner in nearly eight years after Supreme Court declines to hear case

LA Times  

Clarence Dixon, who was convicted of murdering a college student in 1978, was executed Wednesday in Arizona. An Arizona man convicted of killing a college student in 1978 was put to death Wednesday after a nearly eight-year hiatus in the state’s use of the death penalty brought on by its last execution, a nearly two-hour episode that critics say was …

Lawyers seek to delay Georgia execution set for next week
2 years, 7 months ago

Lawyers seek to delay Georgia execution set for next week

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Lawyers for a Georgia man scheduled to be put to death next week for killing an 8-year-old girl 46 years ago are trying to delay the execution. The lawsuit says the agreement said that, with one named exception, executions wouldn’t resume until six months after three conditions had been met: the expiration of the state’s COVID-19 judicial emergency, …

Arizona execution on track after court challenges fail
2 years, 7 months ago

Arizona execution on track after court challenges fail

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — The planned execution of an Arizona man remained on track Monday after two last-minute court efforts ended without decisions that would sidetrack the state from putting 66-year-old Clarence Dixon to death. In the state Supreme Court action, the high court without comment declined to review last week’s decision from a judge in Pinal County that rejected arguments that …

Judge won’t halt Arizona execution — at least for now
2 years, 8 months ago

Judge won’t halt Arizona execution — at least for now

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A federal judge on Saturday refused to halt an Arizona execution planned for Wednesday after the state provided attorneys for convicted killer Clarence Dixon with documents outlining testing done on the drug it will use, but an additional flurry of last-minute court action could still lead to a delay. Dixon’s attorneys also plan to appeal to the Arizona …

Judge: Arizona prisoner psychologically fit to be executed
2 years, 8 months ago

Judge: Arizona prisoner psychologically fit to be executed

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A judge has ruled that an Arizona prisoner convicted in the 1978 killing of a university student is mentally fit to be put to death next week, keeping on track what would be the first execution in the state in nearly eight years. In a ruling signed shortly before midnight Tuesday and released on Wednesday, Pinal County Superior …

Judge mulls Arizona prisoner’s mental fitness to be executed
2 years, 8 months ago

Judge mulls Arizona prisoner’s mental fitness to be executed

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A judge plans to issue a ruling Tuesday night on a request by an Arizona prisoner to stop his May 11 execution on the grounds that his psychological problems keep him from rationally understanding why the state wants to end his life. Lawyers for Clarence Dixon, who would be the first person executed in Arizona in nearly eight …

Clemency bid denied for Arizona prisoner set for execution
2 years, 8 months ago

Clemency bid denied for Arizona prisoner set for execution

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Arizona’s clemency board has unanimously declined to recommend to Gov. The decision by the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency on Thursday marks one of the last steps before Clarence Dixon’s execution in the 1978 killing of Arizona State University student Deana Bowdoin. Before his conviction in Bowdoin’s death, Dixon was serving life sentences for sexual assault and other …

Attorneys want moratorium, probe after execution halted
2 years, 8 months ago

Attorneys want moratorium, probe after execution halted

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After an undisclosed “oversight” forced Tennessee to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die last week, Smith’s attorneys on Thursday asked for a moratorium on executions and a review of the state’s execution protocols. Bill Lee issued a brief statement on April 21 at 5:42 p.m. saying that “due to …

Arizona Supreme Court urged to call off death row inmate’s mental competency exam
2 years, 8 months ago

Arizona Supreme Court urged to call off death row inmate’s mental competency exam

LA Times  

Prosecutors have asked the Arizona Supreme Court to call off an upcoming hearing scheduled by a lower-court judge to determine the mental fitness of a prisoner to be executed in what would be the state’s first use of the death penalty in nearly eight years. Gen. Mark Brnovich’s office told the state’s highest court in a filing Wednesday that the …

1st execution in Arizona in nearly 8 years set for May 11
2 years, 9 months ago

1st execution in Arizona in nearly 8 years set for May 11

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court issued an execution warrant Thursday for a death-row prisoner in what would be the state’s first use of the death penalty in nearly eight years. About a year ago, prosecutors took steps to seek the executions of Dixon and Frank Atwood, a death row prisoner in an unrelated case, but the litigation was put …

Arizona seeks to resume executions after 7-year hiatus
2 years, 10 months ago

Arizona seeks to resume executions after 7-year hiatus

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Prosecutors on Thursday asked the Arizona Supreme Court to issue an execution warrant for a convicted killer that if carried out would be the state’s first use of the death penalty in seven years. Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office filed the request for a warrant of execution against Clarence Dixon, who was convicted and sentenced to death in …

Arizona plans to seek warrants for 1st executions in 7 years
3 years ago

Arizona plans to seek warrants for 1st executions in 7 years

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Prosecutors told the Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday that they intend to seek execution warrants soon for two death-row inmates in what would be the state’s first executions in seven years. Nine months ago, the Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office made a similar request of the high court to set a briefing schedule before filing execution warrants for …

Prisoner disputes shelf life of Arizona’s execution drug
3 years, 8 months ago

Prisoner disputes shelf life of Arizona’s execution drug

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — An Arizona death row prisoner, who would be among the state’s first executions in almost seven years, has filed documents arguing the lethal injection drug to be used would expire sooner than prosecutors maintain and that makes it impossible to carry out his execution. In a filing Wednesday, attorneys for Frank Atwood asked the Arizona Supreme Court to …

Court panel allows federal execution of Kansas girl’s killer
4 years, 4 months ago

Court panel allows federal execution of Kansas girl’s killer

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A panel of federal appeals court judges is letting the U.S. government proceed with the planned execution of a man who kidnapped, raped and killed a 10-year-old Kansas girl. In an opinion early Thursday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said a federal law that regulates drugs requires the government to get a prescription for the lethal injection drug …

Official: Arizona to resume executions after 5-year hiatus
5 years, 5 months ago

Official: Arizona to resume executions after 5-year hiatus

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Arizona is poised to resume executions after a five-year hiatus brought on by an execution that critics said was botched, a subsequent lawsuit challenging the way the state carries out the death penalty, and the difficulty of finding lethal injection drugs, Attorney General Mark Brnovich said. “Regardless of where they go to get the drugs for executions, we …

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