Richard Djerf: Arizona plans to execute death-row inmate, AG says
Kris Mayes announces Arizona's next execution
In an exclusive interview with FOX 10s John Hook, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes says the state plans on filing an execution warrant for Richard Djerf, who pleaded guilty to killing four family members in 1993.
PHOENIX - Arizona will soon carry out its next execution, according to Attorney General Kris Mayes.
What they're saying:
In an exclusive interview with FOX 10's John Hook, Mayes says the state plans on filing an execution warrant for Richard Djerf, who pleaded guilty to killing four family members in 1993.
"You are going to move ahead with a death penalty, who is it?" John Hook asked.
"The next execution I'm going to move forward with is Richard Djerf," Mayes replied. "He brutally murdered four members of the Luna family, including two people under the age of 18, including a 5-year-old son, and raped the daughter."
Richard Djerf
Mayes says the state plans on filing their execution warrant in July, meaning Djerf could be executed sometime in September.
The backstory:
According to Djerf's entry on the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry's website on death row inmates, Djerf killed four people: Albert Luna Sr., Patricia Luna, Damien Luna, and Rochelle Luna. Damien was five when he died.
The incident happened on Sept. 14, 1993. Per the ADCRR, Djerf forced himself into the Luna resident at gunpoint, and proceeded to tie and gag Patricia and Damien before the two were ultimately killed. Rochelle and Albert Sr. returned home after Djerf forced himself into the home, and both were killed by Djerf as well.
In filings related to the state's request to execute Djerf, it was stated that Djerf pleaded guilty to four counts of first degree murder in 1995, but legal battles related to Djerf's case continued for years, until 2020.
Dig deeper:
Djerf would be the second death-row inmate to be executed in Arizona this year. In March, Aaron Gunches was put to death.
Aaron Gunches: Here's what to know about the Arizona man who was executed for murder
For the first time in almost three years, Arizona carried out an execution. Here's what to know about the inmate who was put to death, in addition to the death penalty system in Arizona.