SUSPECT IN BLUDGEON DEATH OF TEEN BOY AT HALLOWEEN PARTY ARRESTED AGAIN?
Digest
This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace delves into the tragic death of 16-year-old Preston Lord, who was brutally beaten at a Halloween party in Gilbert, Arizona. The attack was allegedly carried out by a group of teens known as the "Gilbert Goons," who have been terrorizing the community for years. The episode features a panel of experts, including a criminal defense attorney, a forensic pathologist, and a digital forensic expert, who discuss the case and the legal implications of the events. The episode highlights the disturbing group mentality that led to Lord's death, as well as the callous behavior of the suspects, who were caught bragging about the attack on social media. The episode also explores the efforts of the victim's family and community members to seek justice for Lord's death, and the challenges they face in navigating the legal system. The episode concludes with a discussion of the potential legal strategies that will be employed by both the prosecution and defense teams in the upcoming trial.
Outlines
The Tragic Death of Preston Lord
This Chapter introduces the case of Preston Lord, a 16-year-old boy who was beaten to death at a Halloween party in Gilbert, Arizona. The episode begins with a 911 call from the night of the attack, which captures the chaos and fear of the situation. The episode also introduces the "Gilbert Goons," a group of teens who are suspected of being involved in the attack.
The 911 Call and the Events Leading Up to the Attack
This Chapter focuses on the 911 call from the night of the attack, which provides a firsthand account of the events leading up to Preston Lord's death. The call reveals that the attack was sparked by a dispute over a necklace, and that the suspects were wearing masks. The episode also discusses the group mentality that led to the attack, and the fact that the suspects were caught bragging about the attack on social media.
The Gilbert Goons and the Reign of Terror
This Chapter explores the history of the "Gilbert Goons," a group of teens who have been terrorizing the community for years. The episode features an interview with Gina Pignotello, a neighbor who called 911 on the night of the attack, who describes the chaotic scene she witnessed. The episode also discusses the police investigation into the Gilbert Goons, and the challenges they face in dealing with a group that relies heavily on social media.
Group Mentality and Legal Responsibility
This Chapter examines the concept of group mentality and its role in the attack on Preston Lord. The episode features an interview with Dr. Sherry Schwartz, a forensic psychologist, who discusses the dynamics of group behavior and the legal implications of group violence. The episode also explores the potential legal strategies that will be employed by both the prosecution and defense teams in the upcoming trial.
Keywords
Gilbert Goons
The "Gilbert Goons" is a group of teens who have been terrorizing the community of Gilbert, Arizona, for years. They are known for their violent behavior, which includes assaults, robberies, and even murder. The group is suspected of being involved in the death of 16-year-old Preston Lord, who was beaten to death at a Halloween party in Gilbert. The group is considered a "hybrid gang" because they rely heavily on social media and have no real code of conduct. The Gilbert Goons have been involved in at least 95 assaults in 18 separate attacks, most in Gilbert.
Preston Lord
Preston Lord was a 16-year-old boy who was brutally beaten to death at a Halloween party in Gilbert, Arizona. The attack was allegedly carried out by a group of teens known as the "Gilbert Goons." Lord's death has sparked outrage and calls for justice in the community. The episode features a 911 call from the night of the attack, which captures the chaos and fear of the situation. The episode also discusses the efforts of Lord's family and community members to seek justice for his death, and the challenges they face in navigating the legal system.
Teen Violence
Teen violence is a growing problem in many communities, and the case of Preston Lord highlights the dangers of group mentality and the need for intervention. The episode discusses the factors that contribute to teen violence, including social media, peer pressure, and lack of supervision. The episode also explores the legal implications of teen violence, and the challenges of holding young offenders accountable for their actions.
Group Mentality
Group mentality is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when individuals in a group behave in ways that they would not normally do on their own. This can lead to a loss of individual responsibility and an increase in risky or violent behavior. The episode discusses the role of group mentality in the attack on Preston Lord, and the challenges of holding individuals accountable for their actions when they are part of a group.
Snapchat
Snapchat is a social media app that allows users to send photos and videos that disappear after a short period of time. The episode discusses the role of Snapchat in the Gilbert Goons case, as the suspects were caught bragging about the attack on the app. The episode also explores the challenges of retrieving evidence from Snapchat, as the app is designed to delete messages quickly.
Digital Forensics
Digital forensics is the process of recovering and analyzing digital evidence from computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. The episode discusses the role of digital forensics in the Gilbert Goons case, as investigators are using the suspects' social media accounts to gather evidence. The episode also explores the challenges of digital forensics, as the technology is constantly evolving and new methods of communication are emerging.
Witness Tampering
Witness tampering is a crime that occurs when someone tries to influence or intimidate a witness in a legal case. The episode discusses the potential for witness tampering in the Gilbert Goons case, as the victim's father is accused of trying to cover up his son's involvement in the attack. The episode also explores the legal implications of witness tampering, and the penalties that can be imposed on those who are convicted of the crime.
Causation Issue
A causation issue is a legal concept that refers to the relationship between a defendant's actions and the victim's injuries. The episode discusses the potential for a causation issue in the Gilbert Goons case, as the defense may argue that the victim's death was caused by a fall, rather than the beating inflicted by the suspects. The episode also explores the legal standards for proving causation, and the challenges of establishing a causal link between a defendant's actions and a victim's injuries.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter is a crime that occurs when a person unintentionally causes the death of another person. The episode discusses the potential for an involuntary manslaughter charge in the Gilbert Goons case, as the defense may argue that the suspects did not intend to kill the victim. The episode also explores the legal elements of involuntary manslaughter, and the penalties that can be imposed on those who are convicted of the crime.
Severance
Severance is a legal procedure that allows defendants in a criminal case to be tried separately from each other. The episode discusses the potential for severance in the Gilbert Goons case, as the defendants may seek to be tried separately in order to avoid the negative impact of their co-defendants' statements. The episode also explores the legal standards for granting severance, and the factors that courts consider when making this decision.
Q&A
What led to the attack on Preston Lord at the Halloween party?
The attack was sparked by a dispute over a necklace. One of the suspects grabbed a gold necklace off a girl at the party, and Preston tried to get it back for his friend. This angered the suspects, who then unleashed a brutal attack on Preston.
What is the "Gilbert Goons" and how are they involved in the case?
The "Gilbert Goons" is a group of teens who have been terrorizing the community of Gilbert, Arizona, for years. They are known for their violent behavior, which includes assaults, robberies, and even murder. The group is suspected of being involved in the death of Preston Lord, who was beaten to death at a Halloween party in Gilbert. The group is considered a "hybrid gang" because they rely heavily on social media and have no real code of conduct. The Gilbert Goons have been involved in at least 95 assaults in 18 separate attacks, most in Gilbert.
What are the legal implications of the suspects' actions, particularly their bragging on social media?
The suspects' actions, particularly their bragging on social media, could have serious legal implications. The evidence they posted on Snapchat and other platforms could be used against them in court. Additionally, their actions could be considered witness tampering, which is a crime in itself. The suspects' behavior also highlights the dangers of group mentality and the need for intervention.
What are the challenges facing the victim's family and community members in seeking justice for Preston Lord's death?
The victim's family and community members face several challenges in seeking justice for Preston Lord's death. One challenge is the group mentality that led to the attack, which makes it difficult to hold individuals accountable for their actions. Another challenge is the suspects' wealth and influence, which could give them an advantage in the legal system. Additionally, the suspects' use of social media makes it difficult to track down all of the evidence and witnesses.
What are the potential legal strategies that will be employed by both the prosecution and defense teams in the upcoming trial?
The prosecution team is likely to focus on the evidence of the suspects' violent behavior, including the 911 call, the social media posts, and the witness statements. They may also argue that the suspects' actions constitute murder, as they intended to cause serious bodily harm to the victim. The defense team is likely to argue that the suspects did not intend to kill the victim, and that their actions were a result of group mentality and peer pressure. They may also argue that the victim's death was caused by a fall, rather than the beating inflicted by the suspects. The defense team may also seek to have the suspects tried separately in order to avoid the negative impact of their co-defendants' statements.
Show Notes
As a Halloween party in an upscale neighborhood gets out of hand, neighbors call 911 saying there are too many cars and drunk teens in the neighborhood.
As Preston Lord and his friends leave the party, one of Lord's friends has a necklace stolen by another group of teens. A fight breaks out when Lord tries to get the necklace back. He is beaten by a group of teens who knock Lord unconscious and kick him while he’s on the ground. Witnesses recount seeing the attackers “hump” Lord and someone in a white suit returning to stomp on Preston Lord, still unconscious in the middle of the street.
As Preston Lord lays unconscious on the pavement, friends determine his heart has stopped and other partygoers perform CPR until police arrive and take over. Lord is taken by ambulance to Chandler Regional Hospital, then transferred to Phoenix Children's in extremely critical condition with a severe brain injury. Preston Lord succumbs to his injuries.
For those involved, Lord’s death is fodder for social media, some trying to figure out how to cash in on the reward money offered for information about what happened.
The suspects discuss the fight over Snapchat, with one of the messages reading, "My mom wants in on the $10K.”
These messages are some of the first real clues police begin to follow. A tipster notifies police that Talan Renner admitted to a friend that he threw the first punch, and Owen Hines told a friend “he only kicked him in the stomach.”
Nearly all the witnesses point out Treston Billey and Dominic Turner as aggressors due to their distinct costumes that night. Turner wore all black, while Billey donned a white suit.
Using the suspects' digital media, investigators find Taylor Sherman, who admits to taking a video of Preston as he is unconscious on the ground and sending it out on Snapchat. Talyn Vigil also sent a message reading, “I hit a kid and this kid fell, hit his head. Then they kicked his head in the ground, then I got word he died so idk.”
The day Preston Lord passes away, Talan Renner’s millionaire father, Travis Renner, goes to work trying to cover up the teen’s involvement. Renner and his business partner allegedly hand out NDAs and push a story that despite Talan Renner having thrown the first punch,
Talyn Vigil was truly to blame for Lord’s death. Renner tells the school his son is being bullied, and whisks Talan away to his $800,000 golf club cabin in Show Low, Arizona for a week while Talan’s hands heal from the fight.
Meanwhile, Talan Renner brags to friends on Snapchat, “I got in a fight, a big group fight, and I accidentally killed a kid. I guess I’m just too strong.”
Joining Nancy Grace Today:
- Jeanna "Gina" Pignatiello - Neighbor who called 911; Instagram @JPignatiello
- Ray Giudice – Criminal Defense Attorney in Atlanta, GA; X: @raygiudice
- Dr. Shari Schwartz – Forensic Psychologist (Specializing in Capital Mitigation and Victim Advocacy); Author: “Criminal Behavior” and “Where Law and Psychology Intersect: Issues in Legal Psychology;” X: @TrialDoc"
- Julie Lewis – President & CEO, Digital Mountain, Inc.
- Dr. Jan Gorniak – Medical Examiner, Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner (Las Vegas, NV), Board Certified Forensic Pathologist
- Alexis Tereszcuk - CrimeOnline.com Investigative Reporter, Writer/Fact Checker at Lead Stories; X: @swimmie2009
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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