On the evening of December 31, 1980, William Bracy and Murray Hooper (both of whom were from Chicago), and Edward McCall (a former Phoenix police officer) went to the Home of Patrick Redmond in Phoenix.

Mr. Redmond, his wife, and his mother-in-law, Helen Phelps, were at home preparing for a New Year's Eve party.

Bracy, Hooper, and McCall entered the house at gunpoint and forced the Redmonds and Mrs. Phelps into the master bedroom.

After taking jewelry and money, the intruders bound and gagged the victims. They then shot each victim in the head and also slashed Mr. Redmond's throat. Mr. Redmond and Mrs. Phelps died from their wounds, but Mrs. Redmond survived and later identified all three killers.

Bracy and Hooper were convicted of the murders following a joint trial. McCall and Robert Cruz (who was alleged to have hired the killers) were also convicted of the murders following a joint trial.

Cruz won a new trial on appeal, was convicted again, won another new trial on appeal, and was ultimately found not guilty.

Joyce Lukezic (the wife of Mr. Redmond's business partner) was also charged with the murders, and was convicted in a separate trial. After obtaining a new trial, she was found not guilty.

PROCEEDINGS

    Presiding Judge: Cecil Patterson
    Prosecutors: Joseph Brownlee and Michael Jones
    Start of Trial:  November 4, 1982
    Verdict: December 24, 1982
    Sentencing: February 11, 1983

Aggravating Circumstances:

    Prior convictions punishable by life imprisonment
    Prior convictions involving violence
    Grave risk of death to others (struck on appeal)
    Pecuniary gain
    Especially heinous/cruel/depraved

Mitigating Circumstances:

    None