The death penalty has been a controversial issue in the U.S. since 1608 and has been limited by various Supreme Court rulings. Arizona recently executed convicted murderer Aaron Gunches, the first execution in the state since 2022. Gunches had sought his execution since his guilty plea for the 2002 murder of Ted Price. Gunches declined to provide any last words before being executed. The Price family expressed relief that the painful chapter was finally over. Gunches pleaded guilty to killing Price after an argument escalated and ended with Gunches shooting Price four times in a desert area. Gunches was also involved in a separate incident where he shot a police officer. Despite several letters requesting execution, Gunches did not receive clemency and was executed without further delays.
Price was described as a kind and caring person who had chosen to pursue a career in the medical field to help others. He was a stay-at-home father to his ex-partner’s children and was described as having a positive impact on their lives. Another two executions are scheduled to take place this week in Oklahoma and Florida, with more scheduled later in the year. The death penalty remains a contentious issue with ongoing debates about its effectiveness and morality.
