Phoenix New Times | The Leading Independent News Source in Phoenix, Arizona

Maricopa County Attorney Will Pursue Death Penalty Cases Despite State’s Pause in Executions

By Katya Schwenk

Jan 25, 2023

Executions are on pause now in Arizona, as the governor starts an independent review of the state's use of the death penalty.

Arizona Supports Executing Man on Death Row Who Asked to Die

By Katya Schwenk

Jan 2, 2023

The execution date of Aaron Gunches is nearing. Will new Attorney General Kris Mayes move to stop it?

Dead Man Dining: What We Learned From Decades of Last Meal Requests on Arizona's Death Row

By Elias Weiss

Dec 16, 2022

The Phoenix New Times analyzed the last meal requests of people executed in the state since 1992 — 40 men in all. Fresh vegetables, ice cream and fries were among the most requested items.

With Just Weeks Left in Office, Mark Brnovich Pushing for Another Execution

By Katya Schwenk

Nov 29, 2022

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has only six weeks left in office. But he still wants to pursue one last execution.

Arizona Executes Murray Hooper, Third Man Put to Death in Six Months

By Katya Schwenk

Nov 17, 2022

Arizona executed Murray Hooper on Wednesday at 10:34 a.m. inside the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence.

Arizona Takes Initial Steps to Execute Murray Hooper

By Katya Schwenk

Aug 25, 2022

Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Brutinel ruled that the state can move forward with a warrant for the execution of Murray Hooper, who was sentenced to death in a 1980 murder-for-hire plot.

Hundreds of Staffing Vacancies Plague Maricopa County Jails

By Katya Schwenk

Aug 9, 2022

As the jail population returns to pre-pandemic levels, Maricopa County faces a severe shortage of detention officers and healthcare workers.

Maricopa County Pays Nearly $12 Million in Lawsuit Over Jail Assault

By Katya Schwenk

Jun 10, 2022

"All I want is for this to serve as justice — and a lesson to the sheriff's department," said Brian Ortiz's mother.

Arizona Will Execute Frank Atwood June 8. Who's Next?

By Katya Schwenk

Jun 7, 2022

Frank Atwood, who Arizona will execute on Wednesday, is one of the state's longest-serving death row prisoners. Here are some of the others.

Investigating the Nightmarish Health Care Crisis Inside Maricopa County’s Jails

By Katya Schwenk

Jun 2, 2022

Severe understaffing has led to basic failures in medical care in the Maricopa County jails, according to internal documents obtained by Phoenix New Times.

Clarence Dixon Is Executed

By Katya Schwenk

May 11, 2022

Clarence Dixon's lawyers have argued that his history of mental illness should disqualify him from the death penalty.

Death Row Clemency Petition Fails, Clearing Way for Arizona's First Execution in 8 Years

By Katya Schwenk

Apr 28, 2022

Clarence Dixon's fate is in the hands of the courts.

Inmate Dies at Fourth Avenue Jail — After Officers Fail to Respond to Threats

By Katya Schwenk

Apr 6, 2022

No officers responded to Schroeder's threats. Until Schroeder called again, eight minutes later, saying: "Come get the body."

Arizona Sets Date for First Execution in Eight Years

By Katya Schwenk

Apr 6, 2022

Arizona has not carried out the death penalty since the gruesome botched execution of Joseph Wood eight years ago.

New Lawsuit Seeks to Stop Use of Gas Chamber Chemical Once Used by Nazis

By Elias Weiss

Feb 23, 2022

A new lawsuit is challenging Arizona leaders as they prepare to execute death row inmates with the same gas that killed more than one million Jewish people in Auschwitz.

ACLU: Maricopa County Jail Inmates are Waiting Months for COVID-19 Vaccines

By Katya Schwenk

Feb 16, 2022

One woman in Estrella Jail testified that she had not been provided a vaccine for months, even though she was high-risk for complications.

Quarantined Inside MCSO's Understaffed Jails: "I've Experienced Nothing But Hell"

By Katya Schwenk

Jan 21, 2022

Not enough workers. Constant lockdowns. Conditions in Maricopa County’s troubled jail system are worsening.

Former Arizona State Prison Chief Could Face Time Behind Bars After Police Standoff

By Katya Schwenk

Jan 19, 2022

Charles Ryan once reigned supreme over Arizona's prisons. Now, he might be locked up.

Maricopa County Jail Whistleblower Lawsuit Claims Punishment for Speaking up

By Katya Schwenk

Dec 6, 2021

After speaking up about coronavirus sweeping across Maricopa County jails, a detention sergeant was put on administrative leave for more than three months. His attorney says that's a violation of his freedom of speech. Now a judge will decide.

Arizona Prisons Will Spend Millions in Covid Relief Funds on Offices for Executives

By Katya Schwenk

Oct 8, 2021

Advocates say they see the spending as a metaphor for the poor priorities of Arizona’s troubled prison system

Prison

Arizona ready to execute people again

How Arizona's Prison Healthcare Failed Bruce Beekman

Prison

Arizona ready to execute people again

How Arizona's Prison Healthcare Failed Bruce Beekman

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