Just over a year after a teenager was beaten to death in Queen Creek, a bill named after him has been introduced at the state Legislature.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and state Rep. Matt Gress announced the introduction of a bill (HB2611) called “Preston’s Law” Thursday.
Preston Lord, 16, died in 2023 after he was attacked by a group of teenagers commonly referred to as the Gilbert Goons."
Lord’s parents were in attendance at a news conference at the state Capitol where Mitchell said the proposed legislation adds language to the current law that if someone commits an assault and is aided by two or more accomplices, the charge will be a Class 4 felony.
“This is significant for two reasons," Mitchell said. "First of all, a Class 4 felony carries a longer punishment than a Class 6 felony. But also important is the fact that a Class 4 felony, unlike a Class 6 felony, cannot be returned to a misdemeanor.”
She and Gress also highlighted a different bill (HB2653) that would allow law enforcement to redact witness names to protect anonymity.
"This legislation addresses a critical issue that arose during the investigation where some of the teens who cooperated with law enforcement in Preston's case were bullied and threated for speaking with police," Gress said.
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