Global InformationMurders of William Redmond and Helen Phelps information
| Murders of William Redmond and Helen Phelps | |
|---|---|
 Victim William "Pat" Redmond | |
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Date | December 31, 1980 |
Attack type | Murder by shooting |
| Weapons | Gun |
| Victims | William "Pat" Redmond, 46 Helen Phelps, 70 |
| Perpetrators | Edward Lonzo McCall Jr. Murray Hooper William Bracy |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Convictions | First-degree murder |
| Sentence | Death |
On December 31, 1980, William Patrick "Pat" Redmond and his mother-in-law Helen Genevieve Phelps were murdered at Redmond's home in Phoenix, Arizona.[1] Three men knocked on the door of Redmond's home holding a gun and ordered Redmond, Phelps, and Redmond's wife, Marilyn, to a bedroom, where they were forced to lie down as their hands were bound.[2][3] William was then fatally shot in the back of the head along with Phelps. Marilyn was also shot in the back of the head but survived.[1][4]
Phoenix police initially believed the murders were the result of a home invasion and suggested robbery was the motive, as some jewelry and cash were taken. However, when Edward Lonzo McCall Jr., a former police officer, was arrested in connection with the murders, reports suggested the murders were the result of a murder-for-hire scheme and that the murders were contract killings.[5] Marilyn identified the three killers as McCall, William Bracy, and Murray Hooper.[4][6] Prosecutors accused Robert Charles Cruz, a Tempe businessman, as being the mastermind of the plot, who they said was planning to take over a printing business owned by William Redmond and his business partner Ron Lukezic. Lukezic's wife, Joyce, was also accused of being involved in the conspiracy.[1]
Cruz was convicted and sentenced to death for allegedly ordering the murders but was later acquitted during his fifth trial.[1][7][8] Joyce Lukezic was also convicted for her alleged role in the murders but was later acquitted during her third trial.[1][8] Both Joyce and Cruz's lawyers blamed Ron Lukezic for being the mastermind of the murders, as he became the sole owner of the printing business after William's death, however, he was never charged in the case.[8] McCall, Bracy, and Hooper were all sentenced to death for their roles in the murders.[1]
Cruz was murdered two years after his acquittal and McCall and Bracy both died on death row before their executions could be carried out.[9][10] Hooper was executed in 2022 via lethal injection and remains the state of Arizona's most recent execution.[11][12][13] Joyce Lukezic went on to co-author a book about her wrongful conviction.[14] In 1991, a television film called False Arrest was released, which is based on the Redmond murder case and Joyce's wrongful conviction.[15][16][17] The murders have been described as a case tainted by allegations of police misconduct.[18]
- ^ a b c d e f Curtis, Chelsea (November 15, 2022). "Who are William Redmond and Helen Phelps, victims of Arizona death row inmate Murray Hooper?". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Barr, Dan (January 1, 1981). "2 found slain in N. Phoenix home; 3rd victim is wounded in attack". The Arizona Republic. p. 1. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2 in Phoenix Found Murdered Wednesday". Arizona Daily Sun. January 1, 1981. p. 10. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Fitzpatrick, Tom (November 15, 1981). "No escape: Story of executions is terrifying". The Arizona Republic. p. 2. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leonard, Susan (January 6, 1981). "2 other suspects sought in New Year's Eve killings; attackers allegedly hired". The Arizona Republic. pp. A1, A21. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ging, Michael (March 11, 1982). "Judge denies bid for camera ban, sets trial date in Redmond killings". The Arizona Republic. pp. B1, B7. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hurlbert, David (January 11, 1982). "Ex-cop sentenced to death". UPI. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c Whiting, Brent; Manson, Pamela (June 2, 1995). "5th trial clears man in 2 murders". The Arizona Republic. pp. 1, 18. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Faherty, John (March 30, 2007). "Remains found near Chicago ID'd as central figure in '80 Valley murders". The Arizona Republic. pp. 1, 16. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Rozas, Angela; Possley, Maurice (March 29, 2007). "Bones linked to jailed hit man". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Birchall, Guy (November 16, 2022). "Man executed in Arizona over 1980 double murder in state's first lethal injection in eight years". Sky News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Christie, Bob; Billeaud, Jacques (November 17, 2022). "Arizona executes man for 1980 killings of 2 people". Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Most Recent Executions". Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Fried, Stephen (February 18, 1990). "Wronged By Justice". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Tom (November 6, 1991). "As seen on TV, a famous Phoenix murder". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Arizona wants to execute last surviving defendant of Valley murder plot". KPNX. July 19, 2022. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Shales, Tom (November 2, 1991). "'Arrest': Shut And Open Case". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Schwenk, Katya (November 17, 2022). "Arizona Executes Murray Hooper, Third Man Put to Death in Six Months". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.