PHOENIX— Michael Crane (D.O.B. 06-09-1980) was sentenced today to three consecutive Natural Life terms and several additional years in the Department of Corrections for multiple charges including three counts of 1st Degree murder.
“Michael Crane brutally took the lives of innocent victims without justification. While perfect justice would result in restoring lives taken, his sentences will nonetheless prevent him from threatening anyone in our community again,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.
On January 26, 2012 the defendant entered the home of Bruce Gaudet. The defendant along with an accomplice, Maricela Sanchez, tied Gaudet up and burglarized his home. Then the defendant killed the victim and set his home on fire. Four days later on January 30, 2012 the defendant entered the home of Dr. Laurence & Glenna Shapiro. He along with accomplice, Barry Hassell, went to the couple’s neighborhood to commit burglaries. The defendant bound the victims and robbed their home. The defendant shot the couple in their bedroom before setting their home on fire and leaving the home in their car, which he later set on fire as well.
Barry Hassell was found guilty by a jury on December 10, 2015 for two counts of 1st Degree Murder, Burglary and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary. He was sentenced to two concurrent Life terms with the possibility of release plus an additional 15 years in the Department of Corrections on March 4, 2016.
Maricela Sanchez had plead guilty to 2nd Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Theft of Means of Transportation and has a sentencing set for April 23, 2019.