Charges dropped against owners of home that held party before Preston Lord was attacked
Oct 29, 2024, 12:39 PM | Updated: Oct 30, 2024, 6:59 am
(KTAR News Photo/Balin Overstolz McNair)
PHOENIX – Prosecutors won’t pursue charges against the owners of the Queen Creek home that hosted the party attended by Preston Lord before he was fatally beaten last year.
The Queen Creek Police Department had recommended misdemeanor charges of criminal nuisance and contributing to the delinquency of a minor against Emily and Roberto Correa.
On Monday, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office notified police that the proposed charges were being tossed because there was no reasonable likelihood for conviction.
While the homeowners did let their teenage daughter host a Halloween party on Oct. 28, 2023, there is no evidence they supplied alcohol to minors or let it get out of hand, MCAO said in a disposition letter.
In fact, according to the letter, the parents broke up the party after less than an hour because a fight broke out. The fight was not related to the violent attack on Lord, which was off the homeowners’ property.
“While the parents’ failures to carefully manage their property and act sooner than the lapse of 40 to 45 minutes are not ideal, these lapses do not rise to the level of crimes under the law,” the letter said.
Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice said the department remains committed to getting justice for Lord.
“We understand that this decision is disappointing for Preston’s family, friends and our community,” Brice said in a statement. “We respect the legal process and understand that determining charges is critical to the justice system. Our role as law enforcement is to enforce the laws, and we will continue to do so.”
Preston Lord case continues
Lord, 16, was assaulted by a group of youths outside the party and died in a hospital two days later. The case shocked the community and shined a light on the issue of youth violence in the East Valley.
In March of this year, seven males ages 17-20 were arrested and charged with Lord’s murder. They are scheduled to go to trial in July 2025.
“We will continue to support the MCAO as the case continues to move forward,” Brice said.
On Monday night, exactly one year after the attack, Justice 4 Preston Lord held a “Light the Night” water lantern memorial at Frontier Family Park in Queen Creek.
The Justice 4 Preston Lord movement was started by the late teen’s parents. It has helped expose a plague of youth violence in the East Valley, encouraging previously silent victims to come forward.
Many of the assaults were attributed to a gang of youth’s known as the Gilbert Goons.