Seven people charged in the beating death of a 15-year-old boy pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder and kidnapping charges
Jacob Meisner, 17; Talan Renner, 17; Taylor Sherman, 19; Dominic Turner, 20; William Owen Hines, 18; and Talyn Vigil, 17, were arraigned at the Maricopa County Superior Court on charges related to the October 28 attack on Preston Lord.
On Thursday morning, an additional suspect, “Billey,” also pleaded not guilty to the same charges.
According to AZ Family, Lord passed away two days after the brutal attack, that happened at Queen Creek, Arizona, last year. Court documents indicate the suspects attacked the victim over a gold chain. None of the seven defendants knew him before the attack.
Police found the teen unresponsive, with injuries to his face and head.
Renner’s father, Travis Renner, allegedly planned to bring his son to a cabin after the attack, reportedly to let his injuries that happened during the attack heal, DailyMail reports. Investigators also reportedly noted that the Renner family has the “financial means to aid in fleeing to Mexico.”
It took investigators several months to identify the suspects, prompting anger among residents. Some of them claimed that the influential families of the boys were obstructing the course of justice.
Meanwhile, Phoenix police issued an apology this week following an incident involving Talan’s parents, who reportedly received preferential valet parking services from two Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
We reached out to MCSO to ask if this is protocol, a spokesperson said deputies run security for the court, but don’t run the facility. They respond to what is asked of them.
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) March 8, 2024
The deputies drove their Tesla directly to the rear exit of the Durango Juvenile Court to facilitate their avoidance of journalists, prompting more outrage among local residents. The deputies have since been reassigned.
“After a thorough review, we learned MCSO personnel conducted an unauthorized family escort,” MSCO said, in part.
“Despite their intention to prevent potential conflict or disruption at the courthouse, the two deputies failed to seek supervisory guidance or coordinate with judicial staff upon receiving the escort request from the family’s legal representative. Both deputies involved have been reassigned from the Juvenile Court Center as we continue examining the incident.”
All seven suspects are due back in court April 30. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Preston Lord/Dignity Memorial]
