Aaron Gunches: Vigil held for death row inmate night before execution
PHOENIX - Arizona death row inmate Aaron Gunches is set to be executed on the morning of Wednesday, March 19.
Ahead of his death, the Diocese of Phoenix held a prayer vigil at St. Mary's Basilica in downtown Phoenix. The vigil began at 6 p.m. and lasted an hour.
The backstory:
This will be Arizona's first execution in more than two years. On Wednesday morning, Gunches will be executed by lethal injection.
He was sentenced to death for the murder of his girlfriend's ex-husband, Ted Price, in 2002. Price's body was later found in the desert.
The following year, Gunches shot a trooper twice. Bullet casings from the shooting matched the ones found near Price's body.
He was arrested and ultimately pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing Price, as well as attempted murder of a DPS trooper.
Aaron Gunches
What they're saying:
The night before his death, bishops prayed to abolish the death penalty in the U.S.
"Well, I think the Arizona Catholic Conference of Bishops, as well as our own bishops and our holy father, just emphasize that we first need to pray for victims. A crime has taken place and people have been suffering as a result of the loss of life. But, also recognizing that every person, no matter the crime they've committed, deserves a chance at redemption," Father Estevan Wetzel, director of prison ministries for the Diocese of Phoenix, said.
Others who attended the vigil explained why they wanted to pray for Gunches.
"The reason I am here today is because, as a Catholic, I do believe that every single person's life, no matter where they're from or what they're about, is of value and that's from conception to natural death," Jose Ryes said.
"I think it's really important to pray for the individuals. We believe in the dignity of every person, and we certainly do not believe that having the death penalty is something that should be happening right now," Maria Chavira said.
Wetzel says he's praying for both Gunches and the victim's loved ones.
"This is also part of the healing process, particularly what I'll be praying for, and the faithful here are, first and foremost. The victims involved, those who lost a family member as well as for the person who will pass away tomorrow by the execution," Father Wetzel said.
‘Respect life and love life’
"There are so many people out there that I'm sure have been really hurt by this person, so I don't necessarily want him to get off the hook. That's not what I'm praying for. What I'm praying for is just that our culture can respect life and love life, even our own life," Reyes said.
What's next:
Gunches' execution has been delayed several times, and the victim's family filed a complaint, saying the delay violated their rights.
Gunches has also requested several times to be put to death.
He will be executed at 10 a.m. in Florence.
Aaron Gunches: Here's what to know about the man who is set to be executed for murder
For the first time in almost three years, Arizona will carry out an execution. Here's what to know about the inmate who is about to be put to death, in addition to the death penalty system in Arizona.