20 October 2025 :
October 17, 2025 - Arizona. Richard Djerf, 55, white, was executed on 17 October. This was the 39th execution in the US in 2025, a record for the last 11 years.
He was pronounced dead at 10:40 a.m. at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence, and did not utter any last words.
Djerf was sentenced to death in 1995 after he pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder for the Sept. 14, 1993 murders of Albert Luna Sr. and Patricia Luna, their daughter Rochelle Luna, 18, and son Damien Luna, 5, at their home on.
They were family members of Djerf’s roommate, Albert Luna Jr., who Djerf believed had stolen electronics and a gun from him.
Djerf, who was in prison for more than 29 years, chose not to seek clemency.
Djerf had undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder and brain damage when he killed the Lunas, according to his attorney, Therese Day.
Djerf told The Republic the week of his execution that he was ready to die.
“I would prefer that this not be happening, but that is a choice I lost 32 years ago,” he wrote in a message. “The only thing I can do is face up to what I’ve done and accept this punishment with as much dignity as possible.”
Djerf was “completely compliant” during the execution, said John Hook of FOX 10, 1 of 5 media witnesses.
The execution team struggled to insert the IVs, Hook said. “This is not easy stuff, especially with a heavy man,” he said.
Briana Whitney of Arizona’s Family said Djerf did not appear to be in any pain and that the process seemed “peaceful” and “clinical.” He did not look at the witnesses, she said.
Sejal Govindarao of the Associated Press said the process of inserting the IVs into Djerf’s arms took about 9 minutes.
Héctor Lagunas of Univision said Djerf “never opened his eyes, from the start to the end.” At one point, Lagunas said he saw blood on one of Djerf’s arms as techs were trying to insert an IV, but they cleaned it up as they went.
Djerf becomes the 2nd person to be put to death this year in Arizona, the 42nd overall since the state resumed capital punishment on April 6, 1992, the 39th person to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1,646th overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977.
