Murder and Homicide

Jodi Arias Trial: The Jury Has Reached a Verdict

UPDATE: Jodi Arias Guilty of First-Degree Premeditated Murder, Jury FindsThe jury has reached a verdict in the murder trial of Jodi Arias.According to a spokesman for the Maricopa County Superior Court, the verdict will be read at 1:30 p.m.See also:-Jury Deciding Arias' Fate-Psycho Killer-Jodi Arias ... More >>

Alan Champagne's Girlfriend Accused of Helping Kill, Bury People Found in Backyard Coffin

Alan Champagne, the man Phoenix police believe is responsible for the deaths of two people found in a homemade coffin in a backyard earlier this month, apparently had some help in the murders and burial of the victims' bodies.Champagne's girlfriend, 22-year-old Elise Garcia, was arrested on Monday o ... More >>

Alan Champagne Pleads Not Guilty to Murders of People Found in Backyard Coffin in Phoenix

Alan Champagne, the man Phoenix police believe is responsible for the deaths of two people found in a homemade coffin in a backyard earlier this month, pleaded not guilty this morning to murder charges.Champagne, 42, has an extensive record of murder-related crimes, allegedly. Champagne, who was alr ... More >>

Alan Champagne's Backyard Bodies Were His Baby-Mama's Brother, His Girlfriend, Cops Say

Court documents released in the arrest of convicted murderer Alan Champagne show how police believe Champagne's responsible for two bodies in a homemade coffin in a backyard in Phoenix.Champagne, 42, was arrested yesterday on first-degree murder charges, a day after landscapers unearthed human remai ... More >>

Man's Partner Murdered in Drug Deal, He Gets Charged

The Phoenix Police Department arrested a man suspected of murder, after he and his partner - who eventually died from his wounds - were shot during a drug deal in June.Daniel Albert Alvarado, 29, has been charged with murder and two counts of intent to sell marijuana. According to a PD report, Alvar ... More >>

Alan Champagne Charged in the Deaths of Two People Found in Backyard Coffin

Sure enough, Phoenix police believe Alan Champagne -- the convicted murderer who happened to be a former resident of the house where human remains were found yesterday -- is responsible for those remains.Additionally, Phoenix police say there were actually two bodies in the coffin, which was unearth ... More >>

Three Arrested in Murder of Man Found Bound and Face-Down on Roadway Near PIR

Three people have been arrested -- two of them on murder charges -- in the death of a Phoenix man whose body was found in December, just a couple miles from Phoenix International Raceway. Hector Sanchez Duque, 43, had "no known ties" to the Tolleson farm near where he was found, face-down, with his ... More >>

Louis Harper Pleads Guilty in 2010 Murder of ASU Student Zachary Marco

Both men charged in the 2010 murder of Arizona State University student Zachary Marco have now pleaded guilty, after Louis Eugene Harper pleaded guilty today to first-degree murder and armed robbery.Marco was 21 years old when he was gunned down after refusing to give up his belongings in a robbery ... More >>

Death Row Inmate Alfred Carreon Charged in 12-Year-Old Tempe Murder Case

The Tempe Police Department has solved a murder that occurred 12 years ago, and police didn't have to search too hard to find the guy -- he's been on death row for more than nine years.Alfred Carreon is charged in the murder of 20-year-old Jose "Joey" Gonzalez, who was last seen on December 18, 2000 ... More >>

Shapiro/Gaudet Murders: County Attorney to Seek Death Penalty for Michael Crane

See also: Shapiro/Gaudet Murders: Slightly Less Redacted Police Reports ReleasedSee also: Michael Crane "Refused" to Go to Court TodaySee also: See also: Michael Crane Indicted in Murders of P.V. Couple and Bruce GaudetSee also: P.V. Murders: Heavily Redacted Arrest Report ReleasedThe Maricopa Count ... More >>

Mexican Death Toll in Drug War Likely Higher Than Reported

Joe Arpaio's Most Recent Cockfighting Raid Complicates a Phoenix Murder Investigation

​On Saturday night, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office raided a Phoenix cockfight, arresting 40 people -- 17 of them alleged to be illegal immigrants.One of those alleged illegal immigrants, 43-year-old Pedro Reyes-Lopez, was identified as the owner of the house, which earned him a big mugshot i ... More >>

Overzealous Prosecutors, a Runaway Jury, and a Dead 5-Year-Old

Marion Patterson III Enters Guilty Plea in 2010 Killing of ASU Student Zachary Marco

Tempe Police DepartmentMarion Patterson III​Marion Patterson III, one of two men charged with murdering Arizona State University student Zachary Marco in October 2010, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, according to a Maricopa County court spokesperson.Marco was 21 years old when he was g ... More >>

Paradise Valley Murders: Heavily Redacted Arrest Report Released; Michael Crane Discussed Setting House On Fire

Glenna and Lawrence Shapiro were murdered last month in their Paradise Valley home. Six suspects have been arrested in connection to the murder.​The arrest reports for the six people allegedly connected to the brutal murders of a Paradise Valley couple last month were unsealed this afternoon, but ... More >>

Paradise Valley Murders: Heavily Redacted Arrest Report Released; Michael Crane Discussed Setting House On Fire

Glenna and Lawrence Shapiro were murdered last month in their Paradise Valley home. Six suspects have been arrested in connection to the murder.​The arrest reports for the six people allegedly connected to the brutal murders of a Paradise Valley couple last month were unsealed this afternoon, but ... More >>

Sixth Suspect Arrested in Connection With Paradise Valley Murders; County Attorney Defends Release Of Alleged Killer

​Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery announced this afternoon that a sixth suspect has been arrested in connection to the murders of a Paradise Valley couple found bound and burned in their home last week.Additionally, Montgomery defends releasing Michael Crane from custody after he'd been ar ... More >>

Tyson Langley, 15-Year-Old Accused of Double Homicide, Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charges

Peoria Police DepartmentTyson Langley​Tyson Langley, the 15-year-old accused of murdering two people at a Peoria smoke shop last month, was in Maricopa County Superior Court this morning where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.Despite his young age, Langley's being charged ... More >>

Death of MCSO Deputy Bill Coleman: Should Alleged Burglars Be Charged With Murder?

​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced yesterday that two men have been arrested for allegedly breaking into the Anthem medical facility where MCSO Deputy Bill Coleman was murdered earlier this month by 30-year-old "UFO-ologist" Drew Ryan Maras, who was sleeping in the parking lot and likel ... More >>

MCSO Investigating Possible Link Between Murdered Deputy and Couple Fatally Shot Near Sedona

​As you've probably heard, a Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy was fatally shot with a high-powered rifle over the weekend. As you also may have heard, a New Hampshire couple was found shot to death in their car near Sedona on Friday, also shot with a high-powered rifle.Now, investigators are tryin ... More >>

Drew Ryan Maras, Possible "UFO-ologist," Identified as Shooter in Murder of MCSO Deputy

​The man authorities say is responsible for murdering a Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy over the weekend has been identified as 30-year-old Drew Ryan Maras -- which happens to be the same name as a "UFO-ologist" who wrote a book titled Open Your Eyes: To 2012 and Beyond. The Sheriff's Office won' ... More >>

Take a Chilling Look Inside the Baseline Killer Case

Brittany Williams, Mom Who Put Newborn in Trash, Convicted of Murder

MCSOBrittany Williams​A Phoenix mom who put her newborn baby in a trash can last year -- killing the baby -- has been found guilty of second-degree murder, court officials tell New Times.In January 2010, Brittany Williams delivered a baby in her family's Phoenix home. According to authoritie ... More >>

Not Guilty?: A List of Five Songs Inspired by the Casey Anthony Trial Verdict

This woman is not a murderer, according to FloridaTuesday was dominated with the news of the not guilty verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial, the latest trial to gain such massive media attention. Anthony was acquitted by an Orange County, Florida jury fn the murder of her 2-year-old daughter C ... More >>

Kid Killer Jason Bush to Join Accomplice Shawna Forde on Death Row for Deadly 2009 Attack on Arivaca Family

Clear a spot on death row for kid killer Jason Bush.​Jason Bush, the kid-killing accomplice of Minutewoman Shawna Forde, will join his murderous cohort on death row, a Tucson jury decided today.Bush was found guilty last monthd in the murders of an Arivaca man and his daughter in May 2009.In ... More >>

Kid-Killing Minutewoman Shawna Forde's Accomplice Guilty on All Counts in Murders of Man and Child

Jason Eugene Bush​Kid-killing Minutewoman Shawna Forde's co-defendant, Jason Eugene Bush, was found guilty this morning in a Pima County Superior Court for the murders of an Arivaca man and his daughter in May 2009.In addition to the two first-degree murder convictions for the murders of Rau ... More >>

Desert Hills Couple Charged With Murder in Death of Mentally Disabled Relative

MCSOJohn Chesser and his wife have been charged with murder in the death of Chesser's mentally disabled brother.​A Desert Hills couple has been charged with murder after the dead body of a 51-year-old relative was found emaciated in their backyard last summer.John and Tara Chesser were arrested Mo ... More >>

Man Shot by Phoenix Cops Identified. His Accomplices: Two Chicks -- Now Charged With Murder

MCSOJennathea Nozie is now charged with the murder of her boyfriend, Ernesto Lopez, after he was shot by police during a robbery gone wrong.​The man fatally shot by Phoenix police officers early yesterday morning has been identified as 26-year-old Ernesto Lopez. And Lopez, it appears, left two wom ... More >>

Wade Ridley, Suspected of Murdering Ex-Girlfriend, Arrested in Las Vegas. Admits Involvement in Murder -- and More

Wade Ridley told police he was involved in the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Anne Marie Simenson.​The ex-boyfriend of a woman murdered in Phoenix last week was arrested in Las Vegas yesterday morning while driving the victim's car.Wade Ridely, 53, was originally considered an "investigative lead" i ... More >>

Christopher Licon Charged With Murder and Kidnapping in Deaths of Brother and Nephew

Phoenix Police DepartmentChristopher Licon is accused of murdering his own brother and 6-year-old nephew.​It seemed only a matter of time, but the uncle of a 6-year-old boy found shot to death in a Phoenix alley last month has been charged with murder and kidnapping for the death of the boy and hi ... More >>

Boy, 6, Found Dead in Alley Identified; Father Also Found Murdered. Police Say Family Was "Target"

​The 6-year-old Phoenix boy found shot to death in an alley yesterday has been identified and it turns out he's the son of a man found murdered the day before.The boy has been identified as Xavier Daniel Jaquez. The father, police say, is Angel Jaquez, 27, who he was found shot to death in his hou ... More >>

Phoenix Woman Accused of Shooting Cabbie Hid Evidence -- Including Gun and Bag of Undies -- in Dishwasher

Corletha Davis is accused of murdering a cab driver after he dropped her off at her boyfriend's apartment.​The Phoenix woman accused of murdering a cab driving on Friday morning hid evidence -- including the alleged murder weapon and a plastic bag full of underwear -- in a dishwasher in her apartm ... More >>

Zachary Marco Murder: Two Suspects in Custody. Dad to Alleged Accomplice: "Deal's Off the Table"

Two arrests have been made in the murder of 21-year-old ASU student Zachary Marco.​The Tempe Police Department announced today that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 21-year-old Arizona State University student gunned down near the campus last month.The ... More >>

Phoenix Man Pleads Guilty to Murder of Mother and Nephew; Dude Beat Victims to Death With Shovel Before Telling Cops He Was Jesus

Erik Lampert​A Phoenix man accused of beating his mother and nephew to death with a shovel earlier this year pled guilty to murder in a Maricopa County Superior Court this morning.Erik Lampert, 35, copped to murdering his two relatives, 14-year-old Logan Lampert and 61-year-old Sheila Lampert, on ... More >>

Tempe Sees Huge Spike in Murder for 2010

​Following the second highly publicized, unsolved murder of an Arizona State University student in six months, the Tempe Police Department has come under fire for its handling of violent crimes. The department responded to media inquiries about crime statistics by issuing a press release yeste ... More >>

The Career Criminal Squad Scores Again, Putting the Boot to Phoenix's Contingent of the Vinlanders Social Club

Amateur Racecar Driver Arrested for 2008 Murder of Former Tucson "Hometown Hottie"

www.popularinternetstories.comJuliana Redding​The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today that charges have been filed against one suspect in the 2008 murder of a Tucson woman who was once featured as one of Maxim Magazine's "Hometown Hotties."Kelly Soo Park, 44, was arrested ... More >>

A Nightmare in Las Cruces Opening Night

Hate For Doug Grant: Despite Scant Evidence That Grant Killed His Wife, the Jury Convicted Him Anyhow

Medical Examiner At Mormon Murder Trial: "I Have No Evidence To Support This Being A Homicide."

The county pathologist who performed the autopsy on alleged murder victim Faylene Grant in 2001 told a rapt jury yesterday afternoon that he could find "no evidence to support this being a homicide."   Dr. Arch Mosley, a former Maricopa County assistant medic ... More >>

Bombshell: The explosive backstory in the Robert Ortloff murder trial may be more fascinating than the case itself

Twenty-three years after Kathleen Smith's storied Tempe murder, a footprint will loom large in her alleged killer's upcoming trial

I Dunnit

Here's how a Kentucky inmate conned Tempe cops and the County Attorney's Office into believing he'd killed a stripper, who really was a victim of the Baseline Killer

Fear Factor

Two serial murderers loom among us. Inside the case of the Baseline Killer's first Phoenix victim

Meth Fatalities

Methamphetamine is number-one with a bullet when it comes to violent death in Phoenix

Letters

Letters from the issue of Thursday, July 21, 2005

Wrong Place, Wrong Time

David v. the System

Attorney casts himself as martyr in bizarre courtroom melodrama

A Hap-less Case

Try as they might, Phoenix police have not been able to get the evidence they need to charge Jeanne Tovrea's stepson in her murder.

The Suspect's Sidekick

It was an arduous trail that led investigators in the Jeanne Tovrea murder case to accused killer James "Butch" Harrod. A common sight en route was Edward "Hap" Tovrea Jr.