An Arizona death row inmate, Aaron Brian Gunches, is seeking an early execution date by urging the state Supreme Court to fast-track his lethal injection. Gunches, 53, was convicted of the 2002 murder of Ted Price, his girlfriend’s ex-husband, and had pleaded guilty to the crime. Now, he is pushing for his sentence to be carried out sooner than officials had planned, arguing that it is “long overdue.”
Gunches’ request comes after a two-year hiatus on executions in Arizona to review procedures. The state has not used the death penalty since 2022 when three inmates were put to death. However, the process has been marred by criticism, including a botched execution in 2014 and delays in finding lethal injection drugs.
Gunches’ Plea for Justice
In a handwritten court filing, Gunches, who is not a lawyer but is representing himself, asked the state Supreme Court to schedule his execution for mid-February. He expressed frustration with the prolonged legal process, accusing the state of unnecessarily delaying his death sentence with legal formalities.
Gunches had previously requested the court to issue his execution warrant, emphasizing that justice needed to be served, and the victim’s family deserved closure. However, the execution was postponed due to the lack of staff expertise in carrying out lethal injections.
Legal Procedures and Controversies
The Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office, responsible for pursuing Gunches’ execution, stated that a briefing schedule was essential to ensure all execution requirements were met. This includes testing for the pentobarbital that will be used for the lethal injection.
Governor Katie Hobbs had halted executions in Arizona until the state could guarantee compliance with all laws. Despite having 111 inmates on death row, the state faced challenges in executing death sentences promptly and efficiently.
Moving Forward
As Gunches awaits a decision from the state Supreme Court, the debate over the death penalty in Arizona continues. The pressure to resume executions while addressing past controversies remains a delicate balance for state officials. The outcome of Gunches’ plea could set a precedent for future death penalty cases in Arizona, shaping the state’s approach to capital punishment.
