Arizona Schedules First Execution of the Year for Convicted Murderer Leroy Dean McGill
An execution date has been set for Leroy Dean McGill, a 63-year-old Arizona inmate convicted of murder for a 2002 crime. On Thursday, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a death warrant for McGill, who is accused of killing Charles Perez by setting him on fire. This event marks the state’s first planned execution of the year.
During the attack, McGill reportedly threw gasoline and a lit match at Perez and Nova Banta as they sat in a north Phoenix apartment. Although Banta survived, she sustained severe third-degree burns covering most of her body. In her testimony, Banta confirmed McGill as the assailant.
Officials allege that the attack stemmed from accusations made by Perez and Banta, who claimed McGill had stolen a gun from their residence prior to the incident.
McGill was convicted in 2004 for first-degree murder in Perez’s death, attempted murder for the attack on Banta, arson, and endangerment. The jury reached its decision after less than an hour of deliberation.
Defense lawyers sought leniency by highlighting McGill’s abusive childhood, mental impairments, and psychological immaturity, yet the jury still opted for the death penalty.
McGill’s legal team requested the Arizona Supreme Court delay the warrant issuance as they pursued claims of incorrect jury instructions during sentencing. However, prosecutors argued McGill had exhausted his appeals, contending that the defense’s efforts followed the state’s request for the execution warrant. “We will continue to stand by Leroy and recognize the power of rehabilitation and the growth he has shown by building a positive and meaningful life in prison, despite our disappointment in the court’s decision to issue the warrant of execution,” stated Jennifer Garcia, McGill’s attorney. “We also acknowledge the profound loss for the victims and their families and wish them peace.”
In 2025, Arizona executed two inmates: Richard Kenneth Djerf, for the 1993 murders of a family in Phoenix, and Aaron Gunches, for the 2002 shooting of his girlfriend’s ex-husband.
Arizona had paused executions for nearly eight years, resuming in 2022 with three executions. This hiatus was due to controversy over a 2014 execution that was criticized as botched, and challenges in acquiring necessary drugs. In the 2014 case, Joseph Wood was injected with 15 doses of a drug combination over two hours, leading to prolonged gasping and snorting before death.
The state currently has 108 prisoners on death row.
