PHOENIX — On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court scheduled an execution for Aaron Brian Gunches, marking the state’s first use of the death penalty in over two years. The execution is set for March 19, 2024, and follows Gunches’ guilty plea to murder more than 17 years ago, during which he recently remarked that his death sentence was “long overdue.”
Gunches was convicted in 2007 for the 2002 murder of Ted Price, who was shot near Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix. Additionally, his criminal history includes an incident in 2003 where he shot a trooper twice during a traffic stop near the California border; fortunately, the trooper was saved by his bulletproof vest. Investigations showed that bullet casings from this shooting matched those found at the scene of Price’s murder.
Karen Price, the sister of the deceased, shared a heartfelt reflection about her brother, characterizing him as a caring individual who loved spending time watching the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as riding his motorcycle. Following the issuance of the execution warrant, Price expressed a sense of relief, noting that her brother’s tragic death had irreversible effects on his two children, who were just teenagers at the time.
“The devastation caused by Ted’s murder is impossible to articulate,” Price stated, highlighting the profound impact on their family.
Currently, Arizona holds 112 inmates on death row. The last executions carried out by the state took place in 2022, after nearly an eight-year pause. This hiatus was largely due to backlash regarding a botched execution in 2014, along with challenges the state faced in obtaining lethal injection drugs. During one of the 2022 executions, the state faced criticism for the extended time it took to administer the lethal injection.
Almost two years prior, the court had also issued an execution warrant for Gunches; however, it was postponed when the state’s Democratic attorney general decided against resuming executions while reviewing the death penalty protocols. This review concluded in November, following the dismissal of a retired federal magistrate judge initially appointed by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs to investigate the execution processes.
A representative stated at the time that the review introduced vital improvements to ensure compliance with legal and constitutional regulations, emphasizing the governor’s commitment to uphold the law while ensuring that the administration of justice remains informed and humane.
Gunches, aged 53 and acting as his own attorney, requested that the court expedite the scheduling of his lethal injection, arguing that his death sentence was overdue. However, the state Supreme Court denied his petition.
Efforts to reach Emily Skinner, Gunches’ advisory attorney, through phone and email for comments were met with no immediate response.
