URGENT UPDATE: An Arkansas death row inmate, Scotty Gardner, is demanding that the court expedite his execution, expressing frustration over prolonged delays in his case. Gardner, 65, has been on death row for over seven years after being convicted of strangling his girlfriend in a Conway hotel in 2016.
In a striking statement during a recent court hearing, Gardner stated, “Let’s get this over with,” emphasizing his desire to end years of legal back-and-forth. He has been actively urging the Faulkner County Circuit Court to streamline his case proceedings, indicating that he is tired of waiting in isolation at the Varner Supermax prison.
In a letter to the court, Gardner expressed, “Set a date and let’s do it,” showcasing his readiness for execution. His frustration stems from a lack of action since his conviction in 2018, when he was sentenced to death. Gardner has previously offered to accept any of the five methods of execution, including lethal injection and the electric chair.
“Why die of old age in a one-man cave 20 years from now when I can be forthcoming and say, ‘Hey, let’s do this,'” Gardner told USA Today in August.
During a hearing on May 27, Circuit Court Judge Charles Clawson III granted a six-month extension for prosecutors to respond to Gardner’s appeal filings. The judge noted that Gardner did not waive his rights but is actively pursuing avenues of appeal. Gardner’s contradictory statements during the hearing raised questions about his intentions.
Despite his vocal requests, Gardner’s execution may not be imminent. Arkansas has not executed an inmate since 2017, when four executions were carried out over the span of 11 days. The state has faced significant legal challenges and controversies surrounding its methods of execution, including botched procedures.
In a related development, 10 death row inmates filed a lawsuit in August aiming to block a new law that introduces nitrogen gas as a method of execution. They argue that their sentences were issued under lethal injection, making nitrogen hypoxia an illegal method for them. Notably, Gardner is not part of this lawsuit.
As of now, no updates have been released regarding the lawsuit since its filing on August 5. As this situation unfolds, the implications for both Gardner and the broader landscape of capital punishment in Arkansas remain critical.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story continues to evolve.
