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County Attorney Mitchell drops litigation to seek death warrants
The decision doesn't resolve the legal issue. Instead, it simply defers the fight for another day.
Dear President Biden: Leave us with an example of compassionate leadership
As a young person watching the results of the recent presidential election unfold, I’m concerned we’re entering a phase where we’re moving toward leading with an iron fist. What we need from you now, more than ever, is ...
Gov. Hobbs stands by decision to fire expert who reviewed state execution practices
Gov. Katie Hobbs said Monday there's a good reason she is ignoring the recommendation of her hand-picked expert who said ...
Arizona moves one step closer to first execution in 2 years
Attorney General Kris Mayes took the first steps Friday to finally putting convicted murderer Aaron Gunches to death.
Magistrate: firing squad most humane way to execute prisoners
The former federal magistrate who Gov. Katie Hobbs hired to study the execution process said Wednesday he was dismissed because he was telling the governor something she didn't want to hear: There is no humane way to kill someone with lethal injection.
Executions to resume after 2-year pause
The decision from Attorney General Kris Mayes comes after Gov. Katie Hobbs on Nov. 26 dismissed the retired federal magistrate she had hired in her first days in office to review the process the state uses to put people to death.
Former prosecutors align with Mayes’ in death penalty dispute
Attorney General Kris Mayes has picked up some allies in her fight with Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell over who gets to seek to execute Aaron Gunches.
Mitchell, Mayes fight over who gets to execute inmates
Attorney General Kris Mayes insists that she is "the state.'' But Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell says she, too, can be "the state.'' So, she said, is every other prosecuting agency.
County Attorney, AG at odds over death warrant
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced Wednesday that her office filed a motion with the Arizona Supreme Court to seek an execution warrant for death row inmate Aaron Gunches, igniting a dispute with Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Arizona activists work to hold the criminal justice system accountable through court watching
Mass Lib is dedicated to the end of mass incarceration and the liberation of marginalized communities. The group’s work focuses on prosecutorial misconduct, police brutality and alternatives to incarceration.
MCAO agrees to dismiss suit seeking to compel state to execute Gunches
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office agreed to dismiss the civil suit seeking to compel the state to be prepared to dole out the death penalty after the new director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry confirmed the state “is now and has been operationally ready to carry out a lawful execution.”
Phoenix man convicted of killing 2 young women in early 1990s sentenced to death
A man convicted of sexually attacking and fatally stabbing two young Phoenix women in separate killings in the early 1990s was sentenced to death by a judge Wednesday.
