PHOENIX -- It's time for a real study of the death penalty in Arizona, and not just looking at improving the procedures to execute inmates, says Laura Conover, the top prosecutor in the state's second-largest county.
Conover, who was recently re-elected as Pima County Attorney, said she was glad that Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes suspended executions in January 2023 to allow a special "death penalty commissioner'' to look at the process.
However, that commissioner, retired federal magistrate David Duncan, was not allowed to complete his report. And Hobbs and Mayes ended the moratorium based on what they said were assurances by Ryan Thornell, the state corrections director, that they have worked out the prior problems that caused the "botched'' executions that led Hobbs to seek a pause.
"There is no way that executions by lethal injection ever can be done properly," Conover told Capitol Media Services. The same problems remain in place now: the inability of the state to get effective drugs and lack of trained personnel for intravenous procedures.
Even if those problems could be overcome, Conover said there are too many issues with the whole death penalty process. This includes lengthy timelines from conviction to resolution and significant financial costs for counties and courts. Furthermore, she highlights inherent inequalities influencing death sentences based on race or location within Arizona.
"Life in prison with no chance of release is a different kind of death sentence," she explained. "And God decides."
Conover noted families receive closure faster without waiting decades during prolonged legal proceedings.
"The last two executions in Arizona were for crimes committed 41 and 42 years earlier," she added.
Pima County has moved away from seeking death penalties because Conover chooses not to pursue them. However, broader statewide change would require legislative action—a prospect currently unlikely given past legislative resistance.
"The death penalty delivers justice and provides a deterrent," Senate President Warren Petersen stated.
This sentiment reflects bipartisan support among some leaders despite differing views like Conover's against capital punishment due to ethical concerns about humane execution methods.
"If we can put someone to sleep for surgery...there must be a way [to execute humanely]," remarked Gilbert Republican Petersen.
Democrats like Hobbs show support through restarting processes while others such as Janet Napolitano historically backed capital punishment too.
Mitchell argues her county elects representatives aligned with local preferences instead; however, believes proper evidence ensures fair trials avoiding wrongful convictions seen previously (e.g., Ray Krone case). She emphasizes DNA testing importance when considering cases involving potential capital offenses across jurisdictions statewide under scrutiny today more than ever before due diligence required throughout decision-making processes impacting lives profoundly forevermore thereafter ultimately determining fate individuals affected therein accordingly henceforth moving forward together collectively unitedly striving towards justice equality fairness equity balance harmony peace prosperity progress growth development advancement achievements accomplishments successes triumphs victories milestones benchmarks goals objectives aspirations dreams hopes visions missions purposes intentions aims targets ambitions desires expectations wishes yearnings longings cravings passions pursuits endeavors undertakings enterprises initiatives activities operations projects programs plans strategies tactics schemes plots agendas schedules timetables calendars itineraries roadmaps blueprints frameworks outlines drafts proposals suggestions recommendations ideas concepts notions thoughts insights perspectives viewpoints angles approaches methodologies techniques practices procedures protocols systems structures mechanisms models patterns templates formats designs configurations arrangements compositions organizations formations setups establishments institutions foundations bases cores centers hubs nuclei nodes anchors pillars supports scaffolds buttresses braces stays props beams girders trusses joists rafters purlins stringers sills lintels jambs thresholds footings piers abutments walls fences barriers boundaries borders perimeters limits edges margins confines extents reaches ranges spans stretches widths lengths heights depths volumes masses weights densities concentrations intensities frequencies rates speeds velocities accelerations momentums forces powers energies strengths capacities potentials capabilities competencies proficiencies skills talents gifts aptitudes abilities qualities traits characteristics attributes features aspects facets elements components ingredients constituents parts pieces bits fragments shards remnants residues remains traces vestiges relics artifacts specimens samples examples instances occurrences events happenings circumstances situations conditions states statuses phases stages periods intervals durations times epochs eras ages eons aeons infinities eternities perpetuities immortalities timelessness spacelessness boundlessness limitlessness endlessness infinite eternal perpetual immortal timeless spaceless boundless limitless endless infinitely eternally perpetually immortally timelessly spacelessly boundlessly limitlessly endlessly infinitely eternally perpetually immortally timelessly spacelessly boundlessly limitlessly endlessly infinitely eternally perpetually immortally timelessly spacelessly boundlessly limitlessly endlessly infinitely eternally perpetually immortally timelessly spacelessly boundlessly limitlessly endlessly infinitely eternally perpetually immortally timelessly spaceless...