Preston Lord: 7 suspects arrested for beating teen to death after stealing his friend's gold chain
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Criminal charges have been brought against seven individuals in connection with the death of Preston Lord following a Halloween party on October 28, 2023.
As reported by 12 News, the suspects were allegedly involved in an attempt to steal a gold chain from an unnamed victim on the same night as Lord's death, according to an unsealed indictment released on Friday, March 8.
The suspects, identified as William Owen Hines,18, Talyn Vigil, 17, Talan Renner, 17, Dominic Turner, 20, Jacob Meisner, 17, Taylor Sherman, 19, and Treston Billey, 18, have been named in the indictment.
Further details regarding the charges against the suspects and the events of that night are outlined in the indictment.
Altercation over stolen gold chain
According to prosecutors, three murder suspects allegedly stole a gold chain from one of Preston Lord's friends, and subsequently, all seven suspects were involved in beating the teenager to death.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has disclosed a possible motive behind the fatal assault on 16-year-old Preston Lord during a Halloween gathering in Queen Creek - the theft of a gold chain from one of Lord’s acquaintances.
On Friday morning, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office unveiled the indictment encompassing all seven suspects implicated in Lord’s homicide, providing limited information about the aggravated robbery charges against Treston Billey, Jacob Meisner, and Dominic Turner.
As per the MCAO, the gold chain belonged to one of Lord’s friends and was stolen on the same night as the fatal altercation. The indictment refrains from identifying the owner due to their status as a minor victim.
Following an attempt by Lord and his companions to retrieve the stolen item, a confrontation arose between the two groups. Authorities state that Lord and his friends attempted to flee but were pursued, leading to the subsequent attack.
The release of the indictment follows a series of arrests in connection with Lord’s demise.
Several search warrants were executed throughout the week, culminating in a late-night press briefing where state authorities announced the initial four indictments.
The remaining three suspects were later identified through media interviews and court records.
According to Fox10, $1million bond has been set for all seven supects.
What are the charges against the suspects?
Treston Billey, Dominic Turner, and Jacob Meisner face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery.
William Owen Hines, Talan Renne, Taylor Sherman, and Talyn Vigil, along with the other suspects, are charged with first-degree murder (and/or second-degree murder in the alternative) and kidnapping.
Presten Lord found lying on roadway by police
According to Arizona's Family, law enforcement encountered a group of young individuals in the vicinity of 194th Street and Via Del Oro on October 28, 2023.
Observing the teenagers dispersing, they found no evidence of wrongdoing and proceeded to respond to another incident.
At 9.49 pm, authorities received a distress call regarding an assault near 194th Street and Via Del Rancho.
Swiftly arriving at the scene, they discovered a teenager lying on the roadway. Administering aid until paramedics arrived, the teen was subsequently transported to the hospital.
Tragically, Preston Lord died at Phoenix Children’s Hospital on October 30, two days after the assault.
On October 31, law enforcement announced an ongoing investigation into the teen’s death, awaiting completion of the Medical Examiner’s Office report.
Soliciting video footage from the surrounding area between 6 pm and 10 pm on October 28, authorities sought potential evidence. By November 1, authorities shifted their focus to treating the teen’s death as a homicide, pursuing leads.
They debunked rumors suggesting officers' presence at the party prior to the attack.
Later, on February 15, 2024, Lord’s death was officially classified as a homicide, with authorities actively seeking a witness.
Subsequently, on Wednesday, March 6, four individuals were charged with murder.
The following day, on March 7, three additional individuals faced charges, bringing the total number of suspects to seven.
