Stop the Execution of Richard Djerf in Arizona
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs
Richard Djerf is scheduled for execution in Arizona on October 17, 2025 for the 1993 murders of Albert Luna Jr., Patricia Luna, and their 2 children.
"Richard Djerf was a 23-year-old man suffering from undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder and brain damage when he committed the crimes that condemned him to death. Richard was failed by a system that appointed ineffective counsel to represent him, including an attorney who suffered a psychotic break during her representation of him. As a result, the courts never considered the full extent of his serious mental health issues and brain damage when sentencing him to death. The death penalty is not reserved for someone like Richard, who has demonstrated he is not a risk of violence to others and can function well in prison, and executing him will not serve justice."
Therese Day, Attorney for Richard Djerf
Join the Virtual Sit In
Call Governor Hobbs at 602-542-4331 with the following message:
"Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to ask that Gov. Hobbs not move forward with Arizona's plan to execute Richard Djerf on October 17. Gov. Hobbs promised an administration centered around transparency yet is allowing for the resumption of executions before an investigation into Arizona's execution protocols could be completed. It is not too late to turn back now."
REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL VIGIL BEGINNING AT 9AM PT ON 10/14.
Richard’s execution in Arizona will be the state’s second since the practice was halted in 2022 after a series of botched lethal injections. Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered a state-wide moratorium until the situation could be properly investigated. She appointed David Duncan, a retired federal judge, to conduct the review but fired him before he could finish his investigation. Thereafter, she decided that an internal review would suffice, and the moratorium was subsequently lifted in November 2024.
While the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend away from executions, Arizona is continuing to go against this trend by carrying out executions.
Arizona has carried out four executions since 2022, following a nearly eight-year hiatus brought on by
criticism that a 2014 execution was botched and because of difficulties
obtaining drugs for execution.
Please sign the petition asking the Arizona governor to do everything in her power to stop this.
Sponsored by
To:
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs
From:
[Your Name]
We are writing to ask that you to stop the October 17, 2025 execution of Richard Djerf for the 1993 murders of Albert Luna Jr., Patricia Luna, and their 2 children.
While we understand the gravity of his crime, we believe that executing this individual by lethal injection carries a significant unconstitutional risk of cruel and unusual punishment. Given the State’s history of botched executions, we have strong concerns about its ability to perform this procedure in a manner that is quick, painless, and free from error. Moving through with this execution could cause further damage to the integrity of Arizona’s already fragile justice system.
Richard Djerf was a 23-year-old man suffering from undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder and brain damage when he committed the crimes that condemned him to death. Richard was failed by a system that appointed ineffective counsel to represent him, including an attorney who suffered a psychotic break during her representation of him. As a result, the courts never considered the full extent of his serious mental health issues and brain damage when sentencing him to death. The death penalty is not reserved for someone like Richard, who has demonstrated he is not a risk of violence to others and can function well in prison, and executing him will not serve justice.
We strongly urge you to stop this execution and reinstate a moratorium until, at the very least, you can provide concrete reassurances that this procedure is safe to use and will not cause unconstitutional suffering.
We are concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend away from executions, Arizona is continuing to go against this trend by carrying out executions.
We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent and serious matter.