Phoenix, Arizona – Prosecutors in Maricopa County have decided not to pursue the death penalty against three suspects involved in the Preston Lord murder case. Dominic Turner, Taylor Sherman, and Treston Billey, who were 18 years old at the time of the crime, were eligible for capital punishment. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office had a 60-day window from their arraignment to file a notice of intent to seek the death penalty but chose not to do so.
Among the seven suspects in the case, only Turner, Sherman, and Billey were eligible for the death penalty due to their age at the time of the murder. Arizona criminal defense attorney Louis Fidel emphasized that the decision not to seek the death penalty was made after careful consideration of various factors, including the details of the murder and the backgrounds of the individuals involved.
Three other suspects, Talan Renner, Talyn Vigil, and Jacob Meisner, were under 18 at the time of the murder and were charged as adults but are not eligible for capital punishment. William Owen Hines, who was also charged as an adult, is not eligible for the death penalty as he was under 18 at the time of the attack. All seven suspects are facing charges as adults, including first-degree felony murder and/or second-degree murder in the alternative.
The prosecution has the option to pursue trial for either first-degree felony murder, second-degree murder, or both. If convicted of felony murder, the suspects could face either natural life in prison without the possibility of release or life in prison with the opportunity for release on community supervision after 25 years. The trial date for the Preston Lord case is tentatively set for July 2025, and all seven defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Preston Lord, the victim, was only 16 years old when he was fatally beaten outside a Halloween party last October. Court documents revealed that none of the suspects were acquainted with Lord before the night of the attack. The seven suspects were indicted in early March, and the case is complex with the potential for various outcomes, including second-degree murder convictions or plea deals.
Overall, the prosecution’s decision not to seek the death penalty highlights the complexities and potential trajectories of the legal proceedings in the Preston Lord murder case. The trial outcome will ultimately hinge on the jury’s deliberations and the presentation of evidence in court.