Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state does not intend to proceed with an execution scheduled in April for death row prisoners Aaron Gunches, she announced in a statement Friday.
The Arizona Supreme Court granted a warrant of execution for Gunches on Thursday, despite Gunches and the Arizona attorney general both asking to withdraw their request for the warrant.
"The Court’s decision order and warrant make clear, however, that the warrant authorizes an execution and does not require it," Hobbs said. "This is consistent with the law and separation of powers between the judicial and executive branches on this most serious exercise of the power of the State."
