Arizona's pause on executions is set to end as Attorney General Kris Mayes announced her intent to proceed with death warrants, marking a decisive shift in the state's stance on capital punishment. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, Mayes will soon request an execution warrant from the Arizona Supreme Court for death row inmate Aaron Brian Gunches. This follows a period of introspection and review of the state's execution procedures, which the previous administration promised would resume executions by early 2025. "We have worked with ADCRR throughout its process to carefully review and improve the state’s death penalty procedures, and I am confident that executions can now proceed in compliance with state and federal law," reads a quote from the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
Prior to this development, a review of Arizona's execution process was set to be conducted by retired U.S. Magistrate Judge David Dunkin. However, complications emerged which led to Dunkin being dismissed from this role. Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her loss of confidence in his ability to fully deliver on the commissioned task, stating in a letter released by her office, "Your review has, unfortunately, faced repeated challenges, and I no longer have confidence that I will receive a report from you that will accomplish the purpose and goals of the Executive Order that I issued nearly two years ago," as stated by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) has independently undertaken revisions of its policies and procedures to ensure they comply with legal standards. The news, also reported by the Arizona Capitol Times, underscores the administration's resolve to move forward after Ryan Thornell, director of the agency, completed a review addressing previous concerns with the execution process.
In response to the Arizona Attorney General's decision to pursue the resumption of executions, the anti-death penalty advocacy group, Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona, issued a statement deploring the move. "The recent announcement to resume executions in Arizona reflects a troubling disregard for the state’s pressing challenges and the needs of victims’ families," said the group, as per FOX 10 Phoenix. It criticized the prioritization of resuming executions over fixing systemic issues within ADCRR and providing more comprehensive support to families affected by violent crime.
