Arizona is on the brink of resuming its death penalty enforcement, with Attorney General Kris Mayes pushing to move forward with the execution of convicted murderer Aaron Brian Gunches. According to ABC15, Mayes filed a court motion last Friday, asking for a warrant for Gunches' execution. Gunches, who pleaded guilty to the 2002 murder of Ted Price, has been on death row since 2007 and has waived his right to a state post-conviction review, failing to initiate a federal constitutional review.
However, Gunches' attempts to hasten the decision over his fate were met with a setback as the Arizona Supreme Court denied his request for an expedited execution date on February 14. Originally set for execution in April 2023, Gunches' sentence was delayed after Governor Katie Hobbs instituted a review of execution protocols, citing a lack of preparedness due to staffing issues and concerns over the correct enforcement of the death penalty. Gov. Hobbs paused executions upon taking office, seeking confidence in the state's ability to carry out the sentence lawfully, revealed in an interview by 12 News.
"The Arizona Supreme Court remains committed to ensuring that justice is carried out in accordance with the law while maintaining fairness and transparency in its proceedings," court officials emphasized in a written statement, obtained by 12 News. The court has scheduled a conference for February 11, where they may issue an execution warrant in Gunches' case.
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