Clarence Dixon

Dixon's execution was the first in Arizona since the botched execution of Joseph Wood in 2014.

His attorneys asked for mercy, saying Dixon was blind, frail and in poor health and didn't represent a danger to society or anyone in the prison system. In response to those who oppose the death penalty, James said the death penalty was currently the law in the state of Arizona. "The courts and the administration has to follow the law in this state," she said. The tribe has long opposed the death penalty and executions of tribal members, stating that it was a violation of their cultural and religious teachings. “He’s a member of the Navajo Nation and deserved to live,” she said. The state's last gas chamber execution was Walter LaGrand in 1999, documented by witnesses as lasting 18 minutes and characterized as agonizing. “My focus was on securing justice for Deana Bowdoin, her family, and our communities, and that has been achieved today.” The group remained mostly quiet until about 10 a.m. when they gathered closer together and took turns speaking into a mic as Dixon was due to be executed. “Today the family of Deana Bowdoin was provided the justice they've long been waiting for,” the governor’s statement stated. “The last 44 years he hasn’t had any adequate treatment or access and he’s been incarcerated during that time,” she said about 15 mins before his scheduled execution. “He’s not a danger to society, he’s more of a danger to himself. Bowdoin James said the execution was not closure, but justice has been served. "Thirteen: The number of women that this inmate victimized.