Leroy Dean McGill, a 53-year-old man convicted of killing another person by setting him on fire, was executed on Wednesday. The execution took place at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence. McGill was pronounced dead at 10:26 a.m. PDT after receiving a lethal injection.
McGill was convicted for the murder of James Perez during a 2002 incident in north Phoenix. He attacked Perez and Nova Banta by pouring gasoline on them and igniting the fuel while they were on a couch. McGill had been using methamphetamine and was sleep-deprived at the time. Banta survived the ordeal, but Perez succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses reported that McGill appeared calm during the execution process. He looked towards those present, smiled, and said, “I’m going home soon.” The AP described that after receiving the lethal drug pentobarbital, McGill began breathing heavily, with some witnesses noting a snoring sound. He was declared dead approximately 21 minutes after the procedure began.
Arizona faced criticism previously in 2022 for issues with inserting IV lines during another execution. However, witnesses stated that McGill’s execution proceeded without complications. Sean Rice, a media observer from a Phoenix TV station, confirmed there were no issues with vein access and noted minimal movements from McGill.
John Barcello, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Deputy Director, stated that the execution followed the planned protocol. McGill’s final words expressed gratitude towards those involved for their politeness.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated that her thoughts were with the victims and their families. During the trial, Banta testified that McGill had warned her and Perez moments before the attack not to speak ill of others.
The jury took under an hour to find McGill guilty of first-degree murder of Perez. He was also convicted for attempted murder against Banta and faced charges of arson and endangerment. Defense attorneys had argued against the death penalty, citing McGill’s troubled childhood and mental health issues. However, the jury opted for the death sentence.
Efforts by McGill’s legal team to reopen the sentencing phase were denied earlier this year by both a lower court and the Arizona Supreme Court. McGill waived his right to seek clemency and declined interview requests.
His execution was the 12th in the U.S. this year. Arizona did not execute anyone in 2025, but resumed executions in 2022 after resolving issues related to lethal injection drugs and protocol. The state uses two syringes of pentobarbital in executions. Following McGill’s death, 108 inmates remain on Arizona’s death row.