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
Lethal Injection
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
Frank Atwood: Federal Appeals Court Weighs Legal Innocence Arguments
Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. has demanded the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry comply with the permanent injunction issued by the U.S. District Court, which requires execution witnesses be permitted “to view the entirety of the execution.” In Mr. Dixon’s execution, when the curtains separating the execution chamber from the witness room were opened, Mr. Dixon was already strapped to the gurney and covered with a blanket. Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. also demands that the Arizona Republic be permitted to attend upcoming executions, including Frank Atwood’s, as a media witness. Read the Republic’s story and the demand letter at AZ Central.
According to media witnesses, it took 25 minutes for the execution team to insert an IV into Mr. Dixon. Eventually, the team made an incision in his groin in order to access a vein, requiring them to clean up “a fair amount of blood.” After the drugs were administered, Dixon gasped and then lost consciousness after a few minutes. Read additional reporting from AZ Central.
Media is reporting that Mr. Dixon was executed this morning. There was a delay due to the execution team having trouble finding a suitable vein. Mr. Dixon is reported to have appeared to be in pain. Follow updates at AZ Central.
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