Teen Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Manslaughter in Preston Lord Case

PHOENIX, AZ — William Owen Hines, a 19-year-old implicated in the 2023 beating death of 16-year-old Preston Lord, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Friday, May 2, 2025, for manslaughter and other unrelated crimes. The sentencing marks the first conviction in the high-profile case that shocked the East Valley community and drew national attention.

Hines, one of seven suspects initially charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in Lord’s death, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter in March 2024. The fatal incident occurred at a Halloween party in Queen Creek on October 28, 2023, where Lord was brutally beaten and died two days later at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Court documents reveal that the attack stemmed from a dispute over a stolen necklace, escalating into a violent group assault.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott McCoy sentenced Hines to 12 years for manslaughter in Lord’s death and an additional five years for a separate aggravated assault case involving a drunk driving incident in July 2023, where Hines’ actions left another driver in intensive care with a traumatic brain injury. The sentences will run consecutively, totaling 17 years, followed by three years of probation. Hines will receive credit for approximately 441 days already served.

“This is a tragic and senseless case,” Judge McCoy stated during the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of Hines’ actions. Prosecutors had pushed for the maximum 21-year sentence under the plea agreement, citing Hines’ extensive criminal history, which began in November 2022 with shoplifting and escalated to multiple aggravated assaults and reckless drunk driving. Court records detail Hines’ involvement in two brass-knuckle beatings in 2022 and a pattern of substance abuse, including drinking vodka and tequila while driving shortly after Lord’s death.

In a March 4 hearing, Hines expressed remorse, stating, “I do pray for forgiveness and one day I can make things right.” However, Lord’s family dismissed his apologies as insincere. “His crocodile tears mean nothing to me or to his victims,” said Tony Rich, Lord’s grandfather. Preston’s father, Nick Lord, added, “I have no words of forgiveness. The severity of the crime demands accountability.” Melissa Ciconte, Lord’s stepmother, spoke of the enduring pain: “No parent should ever have to bury their child. I hope you feel the weight of the pain you have caused.”

Hines’ attorney, Rachel Golubovich, highlighted his youth and struggles with alcoholism, arguing for leniency and treatment. Despite these efforts, the court imposed a sentence slightly above the presumptive term for manslaughter.

The case has spotlighted youth violence in the East Valley, with Hines and other suspects linked to additional assaults. Six other defendants—Treston Billey, Jacob Meisner, Talan Renner, Taylor Sherman, Dominic Turner, and Talyn Vigil—still face charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping, with trials pending. Some, like Sherman and Meisner, have settlement conferences scheduled for late May.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, who announced the sentencing, underscored the pursuit of justice for Lord. “Our thoughts remain with Preston’s family, friends, and all those affected by this devastating loss,” said Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice. Supporters of Lord, many wearing orange in his honor, filled the courtroom, reflecting the community’s ongoing grief and demand for accountability.

The sentencing, while a step toward closure, left Lord’s family grappling with irreversible loss. “No sentence will ever bring our son back,” said Ciconte, echoing a sentiment shared by many. “Justice will never be enough, but it is the only thing left to fight for.”

For further details on the case, visit the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office website or follow updates from local outlets like FOX 10 Phoenix and ABC15 Arizona.

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