Arizona executions to resume, breaking 2-year pause during review of state death penalty procedures
Arizona's top prosecutor says executions will resume in the state following a two-year pause
PHOENIX (AP) — Executions will resume in Arizona following a two-year pause, the state's top prosecutor says.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Wednesday that she will soon seek an execution warrant for Aaron Brian Gunches, who is on death row after being convicted of killing his girlfriend's ex-husband.
Mayes said her office had been preparing to resume the use of the death penalty in Arizona since earlier this year as it worked with state corrections officials to review and improve procedures.
Gov. Katie Hobbs had promised not to carry out any executions until there was confidence the state can do so without violating any laws. The attorney general's office had said it would not seek a court order to carry out the death penalty while a review was underway.
