Arkansas judge who protested executions won't run in 2022 An Arkansas judge who was prohibited from hearing death penalty related cases after he demonstrated against executions is not seeking reelection next year. Author: Associated Press Updated: 3:03 PM CST February 1, 2021 LITTLE ROCK, Ark — (Note: The attached video is from a June 2020 report.) An Arkansas judge who was prohibited from hearing death penalty related cases after he demonstrated against executions is not seeking reelection next year. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen said Monday he plans to retire when his term on the bench expires at the end of 2022. Griffen was first elected to the seat in 2010.