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Recent Articles from Jacques Billeaud, Associated Press
Ohio man gets 2.5 years in prison for death threats made in 2022 to Arizona’s top election official
An Ohio man who acknowledged making death threats in voicemails left for then-Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs during the 2022 election season was sentenced Monday to 2 1/2 years in prison.
Arizona lawmaker says she announced plans to get an abortion to underscore out-of-touch laws
A pregnant Arizona lawmaker who revealed in a speech at the state Senate that she was planning to get an abortion says she wanted to share with her colleagues and the public the practical effects of abortion restrictions passed over the years.
Judge mulls third contempt case against Arizona for failing to improve prison health care
A judge presiding over a nearly 12-year-old lawsuit challenging the quality of health care in Arizona's prisons is considering whether to launch a third contempt-of-court proceeding against the state for failing to improve prisoner care.
Backpage founder convicted of 1 count of money laundering, jury deadlocks on 84 other counts
Michael Lacey, a founder of the lucrative classified site Backpage.com, was convicted Thursday on a single count of money laundering and acquitted on another. But an Arizona jury deadlocked on 84 other counts against him in a case that alleged he participated in a scheme to sell sex ads, leading the judge to declare a mistrial.
Former Arizona Corrections director pleads no contest in armed standoff with officers at his home
Former Arizona Corrections Director Charles Ryan pleaded no contest Tuesday to disorderly conduct stemming from an encounter in which police say he fired a gun inside his Tempe home in early 2022 and pointed a firearm at two officers during a three-hour standoff.
Woman tied to Arizona polygamous leader accused of threats
A woman believed to be one of the 20 wives of a polygamous sect leader jailed in Arizona faces federal charges for allegedly sending threatening emails to child welfare workers in a bid to get her two daughters released from state foster care.
Court: Arizona governor not required to carry out execution
The decision marks a legal victory for the newly elected Democratic governor whose office said the state isn't currently prepared to carry out the death penalty.
Hobbs blasted for plans to defy execution order
Gov. Katie Hobbs is facing heavy pushback from a victim's sister and a powerful county prosecutor for her plans to defy a court order to execute a prisoner next month for his conviction in a 2002 killing.
Arizona court OKs execution request that AG tried to undo
The Arizona Supreme Court issued a warrant to execute a prisoner even though the state's new Democratic attorney general tried to withdraw her Republican predecessor's request to carry out the execution.
Judge outlines fixes to poor health care in Arizona prisons
A federal judge who previously concluded Arizona was providing inadequate medical and mental health care to prisoners said she will give the state three months to ensure it has enough health care professionals to meet constitutional standards.
Judge keeps Arizona execution plan on track for Wednesday
Plans to execute an Arizona man on Wednesday remain on track.
Arizona death row prisoner’s clemency bid rejected by board
Arizona's clemency board unanimously declined on Thursday to recommend that the governor commute a man's death sentence to life in prison, keeping the inmate's planned execution on track for his conviction in two 1980 killings.
