Arizona Executes Aaron Gunches, Ending Two-Year Death Penalty Pause

Gunches, convicted of the 2002 murder of Ted Price, advocated for his own execution as the state resumes capital punishment under revised protocols.

Aaron Gunches was executed by lethal injection on March 19, 2025, marking Arizona's first execution in over two years after a moratorium was lifted.
Gunches had pleaded guilty to the 2002 murder of Ted Price and consistently waived legal appeals, requesting to expedite his execution.
The case reignited scrutiny of Arizona's death penalty system, which faced past issues with botched executions and concerns over drug handling and transparency.
Ted Price, described by his family as a kind and caring man, was killed after an argument with his ex-girlfriend escalated, leading to Gunches' involvement.
Price's family expressed mixed reactions, with some seeking closure through the execution and others believing prolonged imprisonment would have been a harsher punishment.