By Associated Press - Friday, March 22, 2019

PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on the sentencing of an Arizona man in the 2012 Phoenix slayings of three people (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

A man convicted in the deaths seven years ago of a cigar salesman in Phoenix and a couple from an upscale suburb will spend the rest of his life in prison.

A judge on Friday handed down a life sentence for each victim for Michael Lee Crane as part of a plea deal in the January 2012 killings of Bruce Gaudet and Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro.

Prosecutors had originally sought the death penalty against Crane, who pleaded guilty to murder and other charges.

Several relatives of the victims also spoke, saying they would have preferred a death sentence.

Authorities say Crane bound and fatally shot the victims at their homes, stole their jewelry and other valuables and set their houses on fire.

The Shapiros were killed four days after Gaudet.

___

10:10 p.m.

Sentencing is scheduled for Friday for a man convicted of murder in the deaths seven years ago of a cigar salesman in Phoenix and a couple from an upscale suburb in two burglaries.

The plea deal that Michael Lee Crane made nearly two months ago calls for him to serve life sentences in the January 2012 killings of Bruce Gaudet and Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro.

Prosecutors agreed to drop plans to seek the death penalty against Crane, who had pleaded guilty to murder and other charges.

Authorities say Crane bound and fatally shot the victims at their homes, stole their jewelry and other valuables and set their houses on fire. The Shapiros were killed four days after Gaudet.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide