Terry Goddard Urges Appellate Court to Allow Execution

(Phoenix, Ariz. -- Oct. 25, 2010) Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard this evening announced that his office has filed an appeal with the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit of this afternoon's decision by U.S. District Court Judge Roslyn Silver's order staying the execution of convicted murderer and former prison escapee Jeffrey Landrigan.

Silver ordered the execution stayed after the Arizona Department of Corrections declined to reveal the name of the company that produced the drugs that are to be used in Landrigan's execution.  The Department has revealed both the quantity and expiration dates of the drugs and confirmed that they were lawfully obtained.  The Department declined to reveal the manufacturer because Arizona law prohibits disclosure of the "identity of executioners and other persons who participate in or perform ancillary functions in an execution." A.R.S. § 13-757(c).

"Jeffrey Landrigan was appropriately sentenced to death and his victims are awaiting justice," Goddard said.  "We will appeal the District Court's ruling immediately to the Ninth Circuit, and if necessary all the way to the United States Supreme Court this evening."  

Court personnel at both courts are on standby to accept appellate papers throughout the night.  

If the stay is lifted, Landrigan is scheduled to be executed at 10 a.m. Tuesday. 

For more information, contact Mika Marquart at (602) 542-7714.