Dave Dinkins, 25, has started a 42-year prison sentence in the 2023 killing of Geoffrey Rugwiro in the Phoenix homeless encampment known as "The Zone."
Rugwiro was beaten to death and his body was thrown in a dumpster before it was set ablaze.
Dinkins pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping late last year. His co-defendant is awaiting trial on charges including first-degree murder.
Phoenix cleared the encampment under court order in late 2023.
More news on homelessness
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A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order barring the city of Phoenix from fully enforcing its new parks ordinance. -
An Orthodox Christian group is threatening to sue the city of Phoenix over a controversial new ordinance it passed last month that bans groups from providing medical care and food to the homeless in city parks — unless they have one of two permits that will be available for it per month in some parks. -
Phoenix is facing a lawsuit following a new ordinance restricting food distribution and medical care to people in need at parks. -
Maricopa County’s eviction prevention pilot aims to better identify households at risk of eviction, provide residents with resources and better collaborate with participating landlords and justice courts. -
In a policy session Tuesday, the Phoenix City Council approved a budget that includes several new investments in housing affordability and homeless services.
