Arizona officials are preparing to carry out the execution of death row inmate Leroy Dean McGill, who was convicted in the 2002 killing of Charles Perez during a violent apartment fire attack in Phoenix. The execution is scheduled to take place at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence using lethal injection.
McGill, 63, was sentenced to death after prosecutors said he threw gasoline and a lit match at Perez and Nova Banta while they were sitting inside an apartment. Perez later died from severe burn injuries, while Banta survived despite suffering extensive third-degree burns.
Deadly 2002 Apartment Fire Led to Murder Conviction
According to court records, the attack happened on July 13, 2002, after Perez and Banta accused McGill of stealing a firearm from their apartment. Authorities said McGill returned to the residence and carried out the fire attack during an argument.
Witnesses testified that both victims were engulfed in flames and rushed out of the apartment seeking help. Another resident reportedly used a blanket to extinguish the fire on Banta. Perez later died in hospital after suffering critical injuries.
Jurors convicted McGill in 2004 of first-degree murder, attempted murder, arson, and endangerment. Reports stated that the jury reached its decision in less than an hour.
Final Appeals Rejected Before Execution
Defense attorneys had attempted to stop the execution by arguing that McGill suffered childhood abuse, mental health problems, and psychological impairment. However, Arizona courts rejected the final appeals and declined requests to delay the execution.
Officials confirmed that the execution will be carried out through lethal injection using pentobarbital under Arizona’s current death penalty protocol.
McGill also reportedly waived his right to seek clemency before the scheduled execution date.
Arizona Continues Use of Death Penalty
The execution marks another step in Arizona’s return to carrying out capital punishment after years of controversy surrounding execution procedures. The state resumed executions in recent years following a lengthy pause tied to legal challenges and concerns over previous lethal injection cases.
Arizona currently houses more than 100 inmates on death row, with state officials continuing to defend the use of capital punishment in severe criminal cases.
