Stop Executions in Arizona

Three executions were carried out in 2022 in Arizona, marking the end of an eight-year hiatus subsequent to the highly problematic execution of Mr. Joseph Wood in 2014, which transpired for a distressing duration of more than two hours.

Clarence Dixon suffered from schizophrenia for the majority of his life and was blind at the age of his execution and still very unsure why he was going to be executed. Frank Atwood was confined to a wheelchair and has demonstrated rehabilitation through his commitment to his faith while maintaining his innocence for over three decades. Murray Hooper maintained his innocence for 40 years. DNA testing related to the murder weapon involved in his case remained untested which could have supported his innocence.

In the aftermath of the botched execution of Joseph Wood, the state of Arizona has engaged in illicit endeavors to procure lethal injection drugs. Considerable financial resources have been allocated towards the refurbishment of the gas chamber, as well as the acquisition of unidentified drugs from undisclosed suppliers while Arizonans were struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic and the state dealing with a budget shortfall. Arizona Department of Correction has not demonstrated any transparency behind the process of their execution protocol, drug purchases, or in the qualification of the staff who participate in executions.

Arizona's justice system is riddled with fundamental flaws and exhibits a propensity for punitive measures and displays a prioritization of private prison expansion over the pursuit of rehabilitation and the solutions to address many of the underlying systemic issues contributing to criminal behavior.

Regrettably Attorney General Mark Brnovich during the final months of his term in 2022, decided to restart executions displaying an unwavering determination that disregarded the presence of mental illnesses, physical disabilities, inadequate legal representation, racial bias, and potential cases of wrongful convictions.

In June 2023, the recent exoneration and release of Barry Jones after spending 29 years on death row for a wrongful conviction serves as a stark reminder of Arizona's extensive history of erroneous judgments. In addition to the state’s troubled sentencing record, all three executions carried out last year encountered complications in conducting their own execution protocols.

In January 2023, Governor Hobbs paused executions while a serious review and investigation into the protocols is conducted. While the investigation is much needed to create transparency behind a hidden and secretive process, a greater step must be taken to stop to end the death penalty in Arizona.