2023-01-20-press-release_dv
News
Austin Sarat writes at Slate about three executions over the span of two days–November 16 and 17–were badly botched. In Murray Hooper’s execution, the team could not access a peripheral vein and resorted to accessing his femoral vein in his groin. Arizona law prevents the defense team or the public from learning the identities of the execution team members, who routinely struggle to access peripheral veins, or determining whether they have adequate training.
On November 10, the Arizona Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s denial of Mr. Hooper’s request for DNA testing and fingerprint testing. These requests were made pursuant to Arizona’s DNA and forensic testing statutes. Read the decision here.
Arizona is set to execute Murray Hooper, age 76, on November 16 at 10 a.m. Mr. Hooper has maintained his innocence for more than 40 years and has requested DNA and fingerprint testing, which the State has opposed. There were significant problems with Mr. Hooper’s trial, including a mistaken identification, the use of paid informant testimony, and significant police misconduct.
Atwood asked the Arizona Supreme Court to review a post-conviction relief petition based on evidence of his innocence, prosecutorial wrongdoing after the Pima County Superior Court denied his post-conviction relief petition
Atwood is asking Court to halt his execution while it weighs a post-conviction relief petition based on innocence claims, state’s withholding of evidence
Arizona’s use of Zyklon B should shock the conscience of all Americans.
Legal team points to this misstep as emblematic of problems plaguing Arizona’s death penalty system
Mr. Atwood has requested an alternative, constitutional method of execution, contending that forcing him to choose between cyanide gas and lethal injection violates his rights
