Arizona executes McGill; others to follow

What's happened

Leroy Dean McGill has been executed by lethal injection in Florence, Arizona, for the July 2002 arson murder of Charles Perez and the attack on his girlfriend Nova Banta. McGill’s last meal included onion rings, bread and butter, chocolate cake and a green salad, and he has told witnesses, “I’m going home soon.” Three more executions are planned this week in Tennessee, Florida.

What's behind the headline?

Analysis

This development marks a return to capital punishment activity in the U.S. as Arizona carries out its first execution in the current period, with Tennessee and Florida also scheduled to proceed.
The case highlights ongoing debates over lethal-injection drug sourcing and expiration dates, which have affected execution timetables across several states.
Public and legal scrutiny continues around whether drug expiration dates and protocol compliance are being rigorously observed, with advocates arguing that expired or unsafe drugs could be used. The issue has shaped policy changes and lawsuits in various states.
Readers should watch for any subsequent stays or changes to the schedule, and for further details on victims’ families’ responses.

How we got here

McGill was convicted of murder, arson and related charges after a 2002 Phoenix arson attack that killed Perez and burned Banta. His bid for resentencing earlier this spring was rejected. Arizona had paused executions for years due to drug-supply concerns and botched procedures, but has resumed under a new protocol.

Our analysis

AP News reports on McGill’s execution and related context, with corroborating coverage from The Independent and Al Jazeera noting the broader national execution schedule and drug-availability concerns.

Go deeper

What led to McGill’s execution being carried out now?
When are the other scheduled executions and where?
How are states addressing drug-supply and safety concerns in lethal injections?