Audio By Carbonatix
Independent Journalism in Phoenix Needs You
We need to raise $15,000 by August 9 to support the reporting our community depends on. Reader support keeps us independent and is playing a larger role in funding local journalism and shaping what comes next. If you believe independent local journalism matters, make a contribution today.
Convicted murderer Thomas Paul West was put to death by lethal injection at the state prison in Florence just after 11 a.m. after more than 20 years on Death Row.
West, 52, was found guilty of the 1987 murder of Donald Bortle.
West beat Bortle to death during a burglary-gone-bad in June of 1987.
As
West was burglarizing Bortle’s trailer, Borlte came home and surprised
him. West beat him to death and left him hogtied in a closet. Bortle’s
decomposing body was found later by authorities.
Last week, West — for the first time — admitted to committing the murder.
Check back later for details of the execution.
