ZAKRZEWSKI WARRANT: Postconviction motion filed
Edward Zakrzewski’s execution is set for July 31 at 6:00 p.m.
Yesterday, Zakrzewski filed a successive motion for postconviction relief raising the following claims:
In this claim, Zakrzewski challenges the non-unanimous jury recommendation in his case that would not be sufficient for a death sentence under today’s capital sentencing procedure.
In this claim, the Motion explains challenges Zakrzewski’s lawyers faced in setting up a visit with him due to the prison having only “one room that the death watch inmates can utilize for legal visits.” The Motion further explains that, during an execution, the entire prison is on lockdown, which restricts Zakrzewski’s ability to communicate with his attorneys for purposes of the pending litigation: “If Mr. Bell’s execution proceeds on schedule, then FSP will be on lockdown on July 15, 2025 and a legal visit cannot be scheduled, which leaves Mr. Zakrzewski without access to the courts for yet another day during this extremely short thirty-day period.”
In addition, Zakrzewski also filed a motion for stay of execution. The Motion argues, in part, that “the truncated litigation schedule in Mr. Zakrzewski’s case deprives him of due process, fundamental fairness, and his right to access to counsel and the courts.” Further: “[T]he extremely short period between the signing of the death warrant and the execution date gives rise to the genuine danger that substantial claims will be inadequately considered or not considered at all.”
TFDP Prior Coverage of Zakrzewski’s Case
My thoughts are with everyone involved in the warrant- and execution-related process.