Arizona organizations are calling for transparency in the state’s execution process after Governor Katie Hobbs dismissed a judge who was reviewing the protocols. Hobbs now relies on an internal review conducted by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry.
The move has drawn criticism, with groups like Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice questioning the fairness of an internal review. Katie Gibson, from the group, argued that transparency and fairness cannot be ensured through a review solely conducted by the department.
In January 2023, Hobbs hired retired judge David Duncan to assess the execution process, but he was fired at the end of November before submitting a report. Hobbs explained that Duncan’s suggestions, such as executing prisoners by firing squad, were outside his scope and unconstitutional.
However, the organizations criticize Hobbs’ focus on Duncan’s draft report, calling it a “red herring.” Jared Keenan from the ACLU of Arizona suggested that Duncan’s comments on firing squads were meant to highlight the inhumanity of lethal injection.
Attorney General Kris Mayes has expressed confidence in the internal review conducted by the state prison director. She also stated her office is proceeding with requesting an execution warrant for Aaron Gunches, convicted of a 2002 murder, despite the ongoing debate over the process.
