Phoenix – Arizona has not carried out an execution since 2022, but the Maricopa County Attorney plans to seek a death warrant for another death row inmate.
On June 5, it was announced that Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell had filed a “motion to ultimately seek a death warrant for Aaron Brian Gantjes” in the Arizona Supreme Court.
Ganchez is the man who lured Ted Price into a remote area of the desert and shot him dead in 2002. Price was the ex-husband of Ganchez's girlfriend.
A news release from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MCAO) described Ganchez's criminal history: “Ganchez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Price. In a separate case in La Paz County, Ganchez pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper. A jury sentenced Ganchez to death for the murder of Ted Price. After an error was discovered in the sentencing process, a jury sentenced Ganchez to death a second time in 2013.”
Previous report: Aaron Gantjes' execution date comes and goes as legal battle continues
This is not the first time legal action has been taken to expedite Ganchez's execution. In November 2022, Ganchez filed a petition for his own death warrant in the state Supreme Court. He later withdrew the request.He said he was unaware that Chris Mays, who won the Arizona Attorney General election that same month, had expressed his intention to “pause” executions in Arizona.
“Aaron Gantjes would not have filed the complaint had he known about this shocking news and is therefore now seeking a retraction,” the handwritten court document reads in part.
After taking office, Attorney General Mayes attempted to vacate the death warrant for Ganchez that had been filed by her predecessor, Mark Brnovich, but the courts denied the request. The death warrant was ultimately granted, but Governor Katie Hobbs said her administration would not No executions will be carried outAt that time, a retired U.S. Magistrate Judge was appointed by Governor Hobbs. Arizona's death penalty procedures to be overhauled.
The death warrant for Ganchez eventually expired, and Mitchell wants a new one issued.
“We have been experiencing delays from the Governor and Attorney General for nearly two years,” Mitchell said June 5. “The Commissioner's report was due at the end of 2023 but never arrived. A letter received by my office three weeks ago states the report may be completed in early 2025. Ted Price's family has been waiting for justice and closure for nearly 22 years. They are not going to wait any longer, and I don't intend to either.”
The county attorney said he has asked the Arizona Supreme Court to “set an argument date” so he can seek a new death warrant.
“While it is unusual for a county attorney to seek a death warrant, it is true that counties represent the state in felony prosecutions in Arizona,” the news release said.
She explains that as an attorney who can act on behalf of the state, she should also have the right to seek a death warrant from the Arizona Supreme Court.
Arizona will resume executions in May 2022 Clarence Dixon was executedDixon's execution ended a nearly eight-year hiatus in executions that began after the 2014 execution of Joseph Wood. Wood's lawyers argue his execution was botchedFOX 10's Troy Hayden Witnessed During Wood's execution, he appeared to be in pain, moving on the table and gasping for breath for almost two hours, the judge said.
