Arizona man who killed niece asks for death

KINGMAN, Ariz. — A northwest Arizona resident convicted in the 2006 murder of his teenage niece is asking authorities to carry out his death sentence.

Brad Nelson, 44, of Golden Valley, has informed Mohave County Superior Court Judge Richard Weiss that he wants to waive all of his rights, end all appeals and be executed.

“Please just issue the death warrant,” Nelson said in a 2013 letter to the court that was recently made public. “This is my right and I impose it.”

Nelson admits killing his niece at a Kingman motel, while the girl’s mother was in the hospital.

Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith argued at trial that Nelson sexually assaulted his niece and clubbed her in the head with a rubber mallet.

Weiss has directed attorneys to file briefs by Feb. 20 as to whether Nelson should have a mental health examination before his death wish is considered. Nelson said he needs no such analysis.

“I am still competent to make this decision. I do it of my own free will, of sound mine and sane,” Nelson said in his letter.

The judge will schedule a hearing after attorneys brief the examination issue. Nelson is housed on death row at the Arizona State Prison in Florence.