Arizona Executes Man for 2002 Murder After Lengthy Legal Battles

FLORENCE, Ariz. — Aaron Brian Gunches, 53, was executed Wednesday by lethal injection in Arizona for the murder of Ted Price, a crime committed in 2002. The execution took place at the Arizona state prison complex in Florence, where Gunches was pronounced dead at 10:33 AM, following his injection with pentobarbital, according to John Barcello, deputy director of the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Gunches, who represented himself during his trial, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2007 after fatally shooting Price in the desert near Mesa. Reports indicate that Gunches had initially sought to expedite his execution by asking the Arizona Supreme Court to issue a death warrant. However, he later withdrew that request. His execution had been delayed since April 2023, when Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs ordered a review of the death penalty procedures. Following significant changes within the corrections department, the execution was rescheduled.

“The family of Ted Price has been waiting for justice for more than two decades. They deserve closure,” stated Arizona Attorney General Kris Maye during a news conference after the execution. This marked Gunches as the second prisoner executed in the U.S. this week, with additional executions scheduled in Louisiana, Florida, and Oklahoma.

Gunches’ actions stemmed from a violent altercation between Price and his ex-wife, which ultimately led to the fatal shooting. Reports reveal that Price had been confronted by his ex-wife over drug use around their children, leading to a physical altercation. Gunches arrived at the apartment later and, after an attempt to transport Price to a bus station failed, drove him into the desert where he was shot.

Following his capture in January 2003, Gunches was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping after he shot a trooper who had pulled him over near the California border. Bullet casings found at the scene of Price’s murder matched those recovered during the incident, confirming Gunches’ connection to both crimes.

Price’s family expressed relief at the execution but noted the lingering pain caused by the crime. “Ted’s murder was not random,” said Colleen Clase, a lawyer for Karen Price, Ted’s sister. “It was a senseless act committed because he dared to do the right thing. Nearly 23 years later, today marks the end of a long and painful legal process.” Ted’s daughter, Brittney Price, echoed these sentiments, saying the ordeal has taken a significant toll on her and her family.

Opposition to Gunches’ execution came from various quarters, including the Diocese of Phoenix, which held a vigil at St. Mary’s Basilica and called for a reconsideration of the application of the death penalty. Father Esteban Wetzel remarked, “Every person deserves a chance at redemption.” Concerns were also raised by David Duncan, a retired federal judge who led the review of Arizona’s execution protocol. He highlighted potential humane issues with the lethal injection process.

Governor Hobbs’ office has defended the execution process, asserting that the review of procedures resulted in necessary reforms to improve transparency and ensure compliance with state laws. Despite legal objections from outside attorneys regarding the method of execution and its implications, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld the execution warrant, confirming that all legal criteria had been satisfied.