- Aaron Gunches scheduled for March 19 execution, Arizona's first in over two years
- Prisoner waived clemency rights, citing unchanged position since 2022
- State revised IV protocols after criticism of delayed lethal injections
- Legislation proposes voter decision on firing squad executions by 2026
Arizona faces renewed scrutiny of its death penalty procedures as it prepares to execute Aaron Brian Gunches, 53, on March 19. Gunches, convicted of the 2002 murder of Ted Price, will not seek a reprieve or participate in Monday’s clemency board hearing. This marks Arizona’s first execution since 2022, following a state review of protocols that paused executions for nearly two years.
The Arizona Department of Corrections implemented changes to its lethal injection process after facing criticism for prolonged IV insertions during 2022 executions. A newly formed medical team now oversees this step, aiming to reduce procedural delays. Despite these reforms, the state legislature is considering a bill to reintroduce firing squads as an alternative method, subject to voter approval in 2026.
Gunches’ case highlights broader debates about execution methods nationwide. Drug shortages and legal challenges have led states like South Carolina to adopt firing squads in 2021—a trend Arizona may follow. Experts note that 35% of U.S. executions since 2020 involved protocol changes due to supply chain or ethical concerns.
With 112 inmates on death row, Arizona’s approach could influence national standards. The state’s last execution pause followed a botched 2014 lethal injection and drug procurement issues. As protocols evolve, analysts emphasize cost differences: firing squad executions average $1,500 versus $16,000 for lethal injection, per Prison Policy Initiative data.
Gunches’ refusal to appeal mirrors a growing pattern where 12% of death row inmates waive legal challenges, often due to prolonged incarceration trauma. Arizona’s decision to proceed with his execution amid ongoing legislative debates underscores the complex ethical and logistical landscape of capital punishment.