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 it on Oct. 12, Chief Justice Robert Brutinel’s order says the court anticipates the warrant will be issued that day. The state hadn’t executed anyone for nearly eight years before Clarence Dixon died by lethal injection on May 11 for the 1978 murder of a 21-year-old Arizona State University student.

 12  warrant  motion  row  death  execution  supreme  states  oct  issue  court  phoenix  state  arizona  issued

History of this topic

Arizona executions to resume, breaking 2-year pause
3 weeks, 6 days 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
3 weeks, 6 days 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
2 months, 3 weeks 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 …

Utah judge sets execution date in 1998 murder despite concerns over a new lethal injection cocktail
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Utah judge sets execution date in 1998 murder despite concerns over a new lethal injection cocktail

Hindustan Times  

A Utah judge on Monday set an August date for the execution of a man convicted in the 1998 killing of a 49-year-old woman, siding against defense attorneys concerned about a new lethal injection drug combination. Utah judge sets execution date in 1998 murder despite concerns over a new lethal injection cocktail Taberon Dave Honie, 48, is set to be …

Utah judge sets execution date in 1998 murder despite concerns over a new lethal injection cocktail
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Utah judge sets execution date in 1998 murder despite concerns over a new lethal injection cocktail

Associated Press  

A Utah judge on Monday set an August date for the execution of a man convicted in the 1998 killing of a 49-year-old woman, siding against defense attorneys concerned about a new lethal injection drug combination. It’s the first public execution in Utah since Ronnie Lee Gardner was killed by firing squad in 2010, according to Utah Department of Corrections …

The Astonishing Lengths Samuel Alito Will Go to Execute Death Row Inmates
6 months, 2 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 …

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 death row inmate released after 29 years behind bars
1 year, 6 months ago

Arizona death row inmate released after 29 years behind bars

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — An Arizona death row inmate whose convictions and death sentence in the 1994 death of a 4-year-old were thrown out was released from prison Thursday. Barry Lee Jones had spent 29 years behind bars for murder, child abuse and sexual assault convictions in the death of his girlfriend’s daughter. Under the agreement, once his convictions and death sentence …

Arizona governor won’t proceed with execution set by court
1 year, 9 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 …

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 …

When Death Must Wait: Alabama calls off execution after problem with inserting IV
2 years, 1 month ago

When Death Must Wait: Alabama calls off execution after problem with inserting IV

Firstpost  

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 ATMORE: Alabama’s execution of a man convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher’s wife was called off Thursday just before the midnight deadline because state officials couldn’t find a suitable …

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 …

Texas executes man for killing ex-girlfriend and her son, 7
2 years, 1 month ago

Texas executes man for killing ex-girlfriend and her son, 7

Associated Press  

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A Texas inmate who killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend and her 7-year-old son more than 17 years ago was executed on Wednesday, after courts rejected his appeals over claims of religious freedom violations and indifference to his medical needs. Barbee received a lethal injection on the same day that Arizona executed Murray Hooper for killing two people during …

Execution of Alabama death row prisoner is called off, state official says, citing time constraints from late-night court battle
2 years, 1 month ago

Execution of Alabama death row prisoner is called off, state official says, citing time constraints from late-night court battle

CNN  

CNN — Alabama corrections officials Thursday cited time constraints caused by a late-night court battle in halting the scheduled execution of a death row prisoner – the second time in as many months the state failed to carry out an execution before the expiration of a death warrant. Smith’s execution was called off at about 11:20 p.m. “due to the …

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 …

Arizona death row prisoner’s clemency bid rejected by board
2 years, 1 month ago

Arizona death row prisoner’s clemency bid rejected by board

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Arizona’s clemency board unanimously declined on Thursday to recommend that the governor commute a man’s death sentence to life in prison, keeping the inmate’s planned execution on track for his conviction in two 1980 killings. The decision by the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency marks one of the last steps before Murray Hooper’s scheduled Nov. 16 execution for …

Lawyers for Arizona inmate facing execution file new appeal
2 years, 1 month 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 …

Arizona prisoner to die by lethal injection, not gas chamber
2 years, 1 month ago

Arizona prisoner to die by lethal injection, not gas chamber

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — An Arizona prisoner who is scheduled to be executed in three weeks for two 1980 killings will be put to death by lethal injection, making him the third condemned person to decline lethal gas since the state refurbished the chamber where it carried out the last U.S. execution by gas more than 20 years ago. Attorneys for Murray …

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 …

Oklahoma official seeks execution dates for 25 inmates
2 years, 6 months ago

Oklahoma official seeks execution dates for 25 inmates

Associated Press  

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s attorney general has asked the state’s highest appeals court to set execution dates for 25 death row inmates following a federal judge’s rejection of their challenge to the state’s lethal injection method. In 25 similar filings with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday, Attorney General John O’Connor wrote that the federal court’s stays of …

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 …

Clarence Dixon dies in Arizona’s 1st execution since 2014
2 years, 7 months ago

Clarence Dixon dies in Arizona’s 1st execution since 2014

Associated Press  

FLORENCE, Ariz. — 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 a nearly two-hour execution that critics say was botched. Clarence Dixon, 66, died by lethal injection at the state prison in Florence for his murder …

Arizona Executes 1st Incarcerated Man In Nearly 8 Years
2 years, 7 months ago

Arizona Executes 1st Incarcerated Man In Nearly 8 Years

Huff Post  

Clarence Dixon, 66, was sentenced to death in the 1977 killing of Deana Bowdoin, a 21-year-old Arizona State University senior, in Arizona. Arizona Department of Corrections via AP FLORENCE, Ariz. — 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 …

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, 7 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, 7 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, 7 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 …

Arizona death-row prisoner won’t be executed in gas chamber
2 years, 7 months ago

Arizona death-row prisoner won’t be executed in gas chamber

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — A prisoner scheduled to be executed in three weeks in what would be Arizona’s first use of the death penalty in nearly eight years will die by lethal injection and not in the gas chamber — a method that hasn’t been used in the United States in more than two decades. Clarence Dixon declined to pick a method …

Clemency bid denied for Arizona prisoner set for execution
2 years, 7 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, 7 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 …

John Henry Ramirez: His execution date was set, two days later, a Texas district attorney withdrew his death warrant
2 years, 8 months ago

John Henry Ramirez: His execution date was set, two days later, a Texas district attorney withdrew his death warrant

CNN  

CNN — John Henry Ramirez’s execution date was scheduled last week in south Texas for this coming October, but two days later, a Texas district attorney who doesn’t believe in the death penalty withdrew his death warrant. On April 12, an assistant district attorney signed Ramirez’s execution date, which was scheduled for October 5, nearly a year after his original …

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 …

Lawyers for prisoner say he’s mentally unfit to be executed
2 years, 8 months ago

Lawyers for prisoner say he’s mentally unfit to be executed

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Attorneys for a prisoner scheduled to become the first person to be executed in Arizona in nearly eight years are making another bid to try to stop his execution, arguing their client’s psychological problems keep him from rationally understanding why the state wants to end his life. In an order Friday, a Pinal County judge concluded defense lawyers …

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

Hearing set for Mississippi inmate who sought execution date
2 years, 9 months ago

Hearing set for Mississippi inmate who sought execution date

Associated Press  

— A Mississippi judge will hold a hearing next month to determine if a death row inmate truly wants to request an execution date and if the inmate is mentally competent to waive appeals in the case. In court papers filed Monday, a special assistant state attorney general said the hearing for Blayde Nathaniel Grayson is scheduled for April 7 …

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
2 years, 11 months 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 …

Timeline of events involving capital punishment in Oklahoma
3 years, 1 month ago

Timeline of events involving capital punishment in Oklahoma

Associated Press  

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma conducted 112 executions from 1976 to October 2015, when the state imposed a moratorium following three consecutive flawed executions or attempted executions. The U.S. Supreme Court says later it will consider whether Oklahoma can use midazolam during executions, but it doesn’t disrupt Warner’s rescheduled execution. — June 29, 2015: A divided U.S. Supreme Court upholds Oklahoma’s …

Prisoners seek postponement in death warrant litigation
3 years, 8 months ago

Prisoners seek postponement in death warrant litigation

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Two death-row prisoners have asked the Arizona Supreme Court to hold off on scheduling litigation over warrants that would trigger the state’s first executions in almost seven years. Atwood’s lawyers, who didn’t specify a postponement date, asked the court to reject the litigation schedule proposed by Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office, arguing the plan made by prosecutors would …

Discover Related