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Arizona Judges Expedite Death Penalty Cases Amid Backlog

1/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Arizona judges in Maricopa County are expediting death penalty cases.
Judge Jennifer Green's initiative requires settlement conferences two years after a death penalty notice is filed.
Findings show 13% of about 350 death penalty cases over 20 years resulted in a death sentence.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell supports speeding the process.
There are 107 people on Arizona's death row, with ongoing cases including the murder of 22-year-old Mercedes Vega.

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Story summary

Arizona judges in Maricopa County are expediting death penalty cases.
Judge Jennifer Green's initiative requires settlement conferences two years after a death penalty notice is filed.
Findings show 13% of about 350 death penalty cases over 20 years resulted in a death sentence.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell supports speeding the process.
There are 107 people on Arizona's death row, with ongoing cases including the murder of 22-year-old Mercedes Vega.