PHOENIX — Maricopa County’s top prosecutor has agreed to drop the lawsuit against state officials after receiving reassurance that the state of Arizona is ready to continue executing inmates.
Governor Katie Hobbs announced earlier this year that the state would suspend executions until the administration could implement a review of Arizona’s death penalty procedures.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell responded by filing a lawsuit seeking enforcement with the Department of Corrections.
The state’s new prison warden, Ryan Thornell, recently told lawmakers that the state’s prisons were ready to resume executions of death row inmates.
“All the problems, questions and concerns I had as a member of the board have been resolved,” Thornell told the Senate nominating committee.
Mitchell said on Thursday that the firm would drop the case after receiving reassurance that prison officials were ready to carry out the death penalty according to the law.
“I believe the law is clear. If a defendant is sentenced to death, the state has a duty to act. I am committed to these families and ensure they receive justice. “We will continue to take appropriate steps to ensure that the law is enforced,” Mitchell said in a statement.
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