Child killer who had plans to eat flesh is set to face execution | Daily Mail Online
Kevin Ray Underwood savagely beat and killed 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin, his neighbor in Purcell. The killer plotted the crime, down to her abduction, assault and death. His death is set for Dec. 19.
“Our office opposes clemency for Underwood” and has requested the Pardon and Parole Board to deny clemency, according to state Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
“Kevin Underwood is profoundly evil monster who perpetrated a crime so heinous to steal a 10-year-old girl from her parents and family. “The only punishment that fits the crime in this case is the death penalty, and I urge the Pardon and Parole Board to deny clemency and deliver justice for Jamie.”
And Arizona is gearing up to carry out executions — after a two-year halt, according to the state’s top prosecutor.
Attorneys general Kris Mayes announced intentions to pursue an execution warrant for Aaron Brian Gunches, a death row inmate whose conviction in his girlfriend’s ex-husband’s murder.
Mayes said her office had been working since earlier this year to bring back the death penalty and had partnered with state corrections officials to re-evaluate and improve the methods for executions. Governor Katie Hobbs had previously vowed to suspend executions until it was established that they could be carried out lawfully, and the attorney general’s office backed the moratorium while the review was conducted.
The review, requested by Hobbs, officially wrapped this month when she overturned the retired federal magistrate overseeing the effort.
Christian Slater, a spokesman for the governor, said Hobbs is still committed to enforcing the law but that her administration will ensure executions are conducted transparently and humanely.
Since then, corrections officials have made sweeping changes to policies and procedures, taking steps to align with legal and constitutional requirements. Improving these practices, the attorney general believes, will lead to the resumption of executions by early 2025, Slate added.