Arizona Executes Man for 1993 Phoenix Family Murders

Richard Kenneth Djerf was executed in Arizona on Friday for the 1993 murders of a Phoenix family. This marks Arizona’s second execution of the year and the fourth in the U.S. for the week. Djerf, aged 55, had been imprisoned for nearly three decades.

Details of the Phoenix Family Murders

The tragic events took place on September 14, 1993, when Djerf committed multiple murders as an act of revenge. He targeted Albert Luna Sr., Patricia Luna, their daughter Rochelle (18), and son Damien Luna (5) over stolen items.

Background of the Crimes

• Djerf blamed Albert Luna Jr., a family member, for a prior theft of electronics and a firearm.
• His obsession with seeking revenge led him to the Luna home months later, disguised as a flower delivery person.

Execution Process

Djerf did not seek clemency and chose to remain silent during his execution. He received a lethal injection after the execution team faced challenges in inserting IV lines into his veins, described as “not optimal.”

• It took about 10 minutes to establish the IV lines.
• Once the execution began, Djerf experienced heavy breathing and emitted sounds before being declared dead approximately 15 minutes later.

John Barcello, deputy director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, confirmed that the execution went according to plan with no major incidents. Notably, representatives of the victims were not present during the execution.

Broader Context of Executions in Arizona

This execution comes amid a turbulent discussion around capital punishment in Arizona. The state had previously paused executions due to difficulties in drug procurement and concerns over execution methods. The last execution prior to Djerf’s was in March 2023, when Aaron Brian Gunches was put to death.

Since resuming in 2022, Arizona has executed three individuals. Currently, there are 107 prisoners on the state’s death row. Additionally, five more executions are planned for other states this year, including Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Future of the Death Penalty in Arizona

The future of executions in Arizona remains uncertain. A review of the capital punishment protocol was conducted at the request of Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. The execution team and procedures have undergone changes as a result of this review.

For now, the execution of Richard Djerf serves as a grim reminder of the violent events of 1993 that continue to haunt the community of Phoenix.