The Arizona Supreme Court has upheld the death penalty for Christopher John Spreitz, who was found guilty of a heinous murder thirty years ago.
In 1994, Spreitz received a death sentence from a jury for the murder of Ruby Reid in southern Arizona, which had occurred five years prior.
During his sentencing hearing, Spreitz had argued that his history of alcohol and substance abuse should have been taken into account as mitigating circumstances.
The state’s highest court thoroughly examined all aspects of the case and denied Spreitz’s appeal to send the case back to the trial court for a new sentence or a hearing to present additional evidence.
According to the 23-page ruling, it is determined that the mitigation evidence is not enough to justify leniency, considering the substantial impact of the particularly cruel aggravating circumstance.
Spreitz is among 111 inmates currently on death row in Arizona. While executions were temporarily halted in 2022, the state is now making preparations to resume carrying out the death penalty.
In December, Attorney General Kris Mayes of Arizona took action by filing a motion with the Arizona Supreme Court. The purpose of this motion is to establish a briefing schedule for the execution process of Aaron Brian Gunches.
Gunches has been sentenced to death row for the murder of Ted Price in 2002, but the state has only executed three people in the last ten years.