PHOENIX, Ariz. - Willard John, 36, of Cibecue, Arizona, was found guilty of Second Degree Murderby a federal jury in Phoenix on July 11, 2014. The case was tried before U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg. The defendant, who remains in custody, is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Teilborg on Oct. 15, 2014.
The evidence at trial showed that John killed the mother of his two young children on or about March 19, 2012, by stabbing her multiple times and cutting her neck with a pair of household scissors. Following the murder, he cut his own throat, but survived his injuries. The evidence revealed that John had been physically abusing the victim for years prior to the murder.
A conviction for Second Degree Murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $250,000.00 fine, or both.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The prosecution was handled by Dimitra H. Sampson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-12-8082-PCT-JAT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-039_John
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
