In Phoenix, Arizona, a 53-year-old prisoner named Aaron Brian Gunches is set to face execution next week, marking the first use of the death penalty in the state in over two years. Gunches, convicted of murdering Ted Price in 2002, has chosen not to appeal for a stay of his execution. His execution is planned to be carried out by lethal injection on March 19. Gunches murdered his girlfriend’s ex-husband near Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix.
Gunches, who is representing himself and has no legal background, previously attempted unsuccessfully to expedite the timeline for his execution, bypassing typical legal proceedings. He argued that his execution was “long overdue,” a plea which Arizona’s highest court subsequently dismissed.
In a recent filing on February 20, Gunches reiterated his decision not to attend a hearing on Monday before the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency. He confirmed the clemency waiver that he filed in 2022, solidifying his stance, stating, “My position has not changed.”
The Arizona Supreme Court had issued a death warrant for Gunches nearly two years ago. However, the execution was delayed due to the Democratic attorney general’s decision not to pursue executions, as the state reviewed its death penalty procedures. This review concluded in November after Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs decided to terminate a retired federal magistrate judge initially appointed to scrutinize the execution process.
Arizona has not utilized the death penalty since 2022, ending a near-eight-year pause driven by concerns over execution methods and difficulties in obtaining the drugs necessary for lethal injection. The state had faced criticism concerning the lengthy process to insert IVs for lethal injections.
In response to past criticisms, Arizona’s corrections officials have formed a new, larger team dedicated to the IV insertion procedure for condemned prisoners, aiming to rectify previous delays. Meanwhile, the state legislature is evaluating a proposition to alter Arizona’s execution methods. If passed, the proposal would place a referendum on the 2026 ballot, offering voters a choice to replace lethal injection with a firing squad.
Currently, prisoners on death row in Arizona whose crimes were committed before November 23, 1992, have the choice between lethal injection and the gas chamber. The latter was refurbished in late 2020, last used in 1999. Under existing laws, prisoners without a choice or those convicted after the 1992 date are subject to lethal injection. The proposed measure aims to maintain lethal gas as an option for those with crimes predating November 1992.
