Capital punishment in Arizona
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in the U.S. state of Arizona.
Legal process
When the prosecution seeks the death penalty, the sentence is decided by the jury and must be unanimous.
In case of a hung jury during the penalty phase of the trial, a retrial happens before another jury. If the second jury is also deadlocked, a life sentence is issued.[1]
The Governor of Arizona can grant clemency only with advice and consent of the five-member Arizona Board of Executive Clemency.[2]
Capital crimes
The following aggravating circumstances constitute capital murder in the State of Arizona:[3]
- prior conviction for which a sentence of life imprisonment or death was imposable;
- prior serious offense involving the use or threat of violence;
- grave risk of death to others;
- procurement of murder by payment or promise of payment;
- commission of murder for pecuniary gain;
- murder committed in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner;
- murder committed while in custody;
- multiple homicides;
- murder of a victim under 15 years of age or of a victim 70 years of age or older; and
- murder of a law enforcement officer.
Executions and death row
The method of execution employed in Arizona is lethal injection.[4] However, if convicted for a crime committed prior to November 23, 1992, the inmate may choose gas inhalation instead.[5]
Arizona's death row for males is located at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Florence in Florence. Female death row prisoners are housed at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Perryville in Goodyear.
Since capital punishment was resumed in 1976, 37 individuals in Arizona were convicted of murder and have been executed at Florence State Prison in Florence, Arizona.[6]
See also
- List of individuals executed in Arizona
- List of death row inmates in Arizona
- Crime in Arizona
- Law of Arizona
References
- ^ "§ 13-752 Sentences of death, life imprisonment or natural life; imposition; sentencing proceedings; definitions". Law.justia.com. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
- ^ "Title 31 - Prisons and Prisoners". Azleg.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
- ^ "Capital Punishment in Arizona" (PDF). Azag.gov. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
- ^ "Arizona - Capital Punishment - Death Penalty". Deathpenalty.uslegal.com. 1992-11-23. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
- ^ "Methods of Execution". Clarkprosecutor.org. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
- ^ [1]