Arizona has executed Richard Kenneth Djerf, a man convicted of the 1993 Phoenix family murders. This execution marks the state’s second of the year and the fourth in the U.S. within the same week.
Details of the Execution
Richard Djerf, 55, received a lethal injection of pentobarbital on Friday at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence. He had been imprisoned for nearly 30 years since he confessed to the murders of four members of the Luna family.
The 1993 Murders
- Victims included Albert Luna Sr., Patricia Luna, and their children Rochelle (18) and Damien Luna (5).
- The heinous act occurred on September 14, 1993, driven by Djerf’s desire for revenge against a family member.
Prosecutors stated that Djerf believed Albert Luna Jr. was responsible for a prior theft and sought vengeance by infiltrating the Luna home under the guise of delivering flowers.
Details of the Crime
- Djerf sexually assaulted Rochelle before brutally killing her.
- He used an aluminum baseball bat to beat Albert Luna Sr. and subsequently stabbed and shot him.
- Patricia and Damien Luna were tied to kitchen chairs and fatally shot.
Execution Method and Protocol
A team comprising medical professionals prepared the lethal injection, which has faced criticism for its procedures in the past. Observers noted that it typically takes between seven to ten minutes for death to be pronounced after the drugs are administered.
History of Executions in Arizona
Arizona has faced scrutiny over its death penalty practices. The state paused executions twice since 2014 due to concerns over lethal injection protocols. A particularly controversial case during this period involved a botched execution.
- The issues led to a nearly eight-year halt in executions, resumed in 2022 with three prisoners executed.
- However, in 2023, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs halted further executions for a protocol review.
Current State of Death Row
As of now, there are 108 inmates awaiting execution in Arizona, with the last execution occurring in mid-March 2023, when Aaron Brian Gunches was put to death for a 2002 murder.
