Thank you Gov. Hobbs & AG Mayes, Arizona should not tolerate any more botched executions!
.jpg)
Last year, Arizona conducted three executions that all resulted in botched outcomes. Prior to the 2022 executions the state did not conduct any executions following the mismanaged execution of Joseph Wood in 2014, who was executed using a two-drug combination—midazolam and hydromorphone—that had not previously been used in the state.
Mr. Wood’s execution took almost two hours from the first administration of drugs to death. During that time, Wood was administered 15 doses of lethal-injection drugs, even though Arizona’s protocol calls for only two.
Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) used secretly acquired compounded pentobarbital to kill Mr. Clarence Dixon, Mr. Frank Atwood, and Mr. Murray Hooper last year. Each execution had complications with the IV insertion resulting in two out of the three executions requiring femoral insertions by ADCRR staff who struggled to complete the task.
A thorough review of capital punishment in Arizona, including lethal injection protocols, has now been granted by Governor Hobbs and Attorney General Mayes.
Under Executive Order No. 2023-05, Governor Hobbs has ordered a review of Arizona’s execution procedures and protocols, to be conducted by an Independent Review Commissioner who will issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Attorney General.
The Commissioner’s review will include:
1. The State’s procurement of lethal injection drugs, including but not limited to the source of the drugs, the cost to the State, and any considerations about the drugs such as composition and expiration;
2. The State’s procurement of gas chamber chemicals, including but not limited to the source of the chemicals, the cost to the State, and the composition of the chemicals;
3. ADCRR procedures and protocols for conducting an execution by gas chamber and by lethal injection, including but not limited to setting lines for a lethal injection, transparency and media access, access to legal counsel for the inmate, and contingency planning; and
4. Staffing considerations, including but not limited to training, staffing plans to conduct executions, and staff background and experience for administering an execution.
This review and investigation pauses executions in Arizona until officials and the public can determine that executions are carried out lawfully and humanely - which we know is not a guarantee of another botched execution.
Gov. Hobbs and AG Mayes have taken steps to ensure Arizona falls in line with other states conducting reviews like Tennessee, Ohio and Alabama. Advocates asked, they listened and took action.
