Arizona death row inmate Aaron Brian Gunches, who was convicted in the 2002 murder of his girlfriend’s ex-husband, Ted Price, has requested the state Supreme Court to expedite his execution earlier than previously planned. He had pled guilty to the crime and is set to be executed by lethal injection. Gunches, who is representing himself in court, argued that his death sentence is “long overdue” and that the state was unnecessarily prolonging the process by requesting a legal briefing schedule leading up to the execution.
The Attorney General’s office, which is pursuing Gunches’ execution, indicated that a briefing schedule must be established to ensure that corrections officials comply with execution requirements, including testing the pentobarbital to be used for the lethal injection. Gunches had previously petitioned the state Supreme Court to issue his execution warrant two years ago, in order to serve justice and provide closure to the victim’s family. His execution had originally been scheduled for April 2023, however, Governor Katie Hobbs’ office postponed it, citing a lack of staff with the expertise to carry out executions.
Governor Hobbs had declared a moratorium on carrying out death sentences until there was confidence that the state could do so without violating any laws. She had initiated a review process, led by a retired federal magistrate judge, which concluded in November. Arizona has not executed any death row inmates since 2022, when three individuals were put to death after a nearly eight-year hiatus. This pause was prompted by criticism of a botched 2014 execution and challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs. The state has faced further criticism for delays in setting up IVs for lethal injections.
Gunches’ plea to expedite his execution comes as Arizona is looking to resume the use of the death penalty. The state’s last executions were carried out in 2022, ending a long period without any capital punishment. In his handwritten court filing, Gunches emphasized the need for his sentence to be carried out promptly, expressing a desire for closure for both himself and the victim’s family. The state Supreme Court will need to weigh Gunches’ request against the need to ensure that all legal formalities and procedures are properly followed before any execution can take place.
As Arizona considers the resumption of executions, the case of Aaron Brian Gunches highlights the complexities and challenges involved in carrying out the death penalty. While Gunches is eager to see his sentence fulfilled, there are legal and logistical considerations that must be addressed to ensure that the execution is carried out in accordance with the law. The state Supreme Court will need to carefully consider Gunches’ request and balance it with the need to uphold legal procedures and safeguards surrounding capital punishment.
