FIRST DEGREE MURDER (2 Counts) REDUCED to Second Degree Murder – State v. Mr. B. (DMC No. 7131) (Maricopa County Superior Court No. CR2005-141941): Mr. B. and 2 others went to the home of a methamphetamine dealer and his girlfriend under the rouse of borrowing some items. Once they were there, they robbed the 2 victims at gunpoint and shot them. Although Mr. B. was initially facing the Death Penalty, we were able to convince the State to not seek death with our first degree murder defense. We were also able to raise some defenses in the case which resulted in securing a plea to 2 Counts of Second Degree Murder with a sentence of 13 years on each count. Although Mr. B. admitted to being the shooter and firing 12 rounds of ammunition, there were still some significant questions as to the reliability of his confession. Even without death being on the table, most people convicted in Arizona of a double homicide are given a minimum of a natural life sentence, whereas Mr. B. will be free at age 44.
