(Phoenix, Arizona) – Last week, a Maricopa County judge sentenced Derek V. Minor (1/1949) to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder, a class one dangerous felony and seven years in prison for theft of means of transportation, a class three felony. The total of 32 sentenced years are to be served consecutively in prison in the Arizona Department of Corrections. 

In September of 2018 Phoenix Police discovered the body of a woman at an apartment in Central Phoenix after being alerted that the victim had not returned home.  Evidence, witness testimony and cell phone data were used to indict, convict and sentence Minor for the killing of the victim. 

“The victim in this case left behind a 14-year-old daughter who told the court that her mother was her best friend.  Sadly, this sentence will not bring the victim back, but it does bring punishment to the fullest extent of the law and some closure for a family that has endured so much pain and grief,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. 

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