Priyanka Tiwari
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The Arizona Supreme Court has scheduled the execution of Aaron Brian Gunches for March 19, 2025. Gunches was convicted of murdering Ted Price, his girlfriend’s ex-husband, in 2002. The conviction was finalized in 2007, and this execution will mark the first death penalty in Arizona in two years.
Death Sentence Previously Put on Hold
In the United States, lethal injection is the primary method used for executions. The procedure involves placing the inmate on a stretcher and injecting lethal drugs, typically pentobarbital, into the bloodstream. This process causes the prisoner to gradually lose consciousness before their heart stops.
Currently, 112 prisoners are awaiting execution in Arizona. The last executions in the state took place in 2022, after an eight-year hiatus. In 2014, Arizona halted executions due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs and concerns over botched procedures. When the state resumed executions in 2022, it faced criticism for delays in administering lethal injections.
Execution Warrant Issued Two Years Ago
The court initially issued a death warrant for Gunches nearly two years ago. However, the state's Democratic Attorney General paused the process while reviewing Arizona's death penalty protocols. This review concluded in November 2023, when Governor Katie Hobbs dismissed a retired federal magistrate judge who was investigating the execution procedures.
Aaron Brian Gunches Pushes for Execution
At 53 years old, Gunches is representing himself in court, despite lacking legal training. In December 2023, he urged the court to fast-track his execution date, arguing that his death sentence has been unnecessarily delayed.
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