An execution date has been set for an Arizona man convicted of killing a couple and their two children over thirty years ago.
Richard Djerf will be executed via lethal injection on October 17, the state supreme court announced on Tuesday.
According to Djerf’s entry as a death row inmate on the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry website, he killed four people: Albert Luna Sr., Patricia Luna, Damien Luna, and Rochelle Luna. Damien was five years old at the time of his death.
The incident occurred on September 14, 1993. According to the ADCRR, Djerf forced his way into the Luna residence at gunpoint, then tied and gagged Patricia and Damien before killing them. Djerf pushed his way inside, killing both Rochelle and Albert Sr. as they arrived home.
According to records linked to the state’s request to execute Djerf, he pled guilty to four charges of first-degree murder in 1995, but court fights over Djerf’s case lasted years, until 2020.
Djerf will be the second death row convict executed in Arizona this year. Aaron Gunches received the death penalty in March.
