Richard Djerf

Richard Djerf

Mass murderer
4known / alleged victims
Similar offenders
Gameel Al-Batouti Mass murderer · USA · 1999 Gameel Al-Batouti (also rendered “Gamil ElBatouty” or “El Batouty” in U.S. offi… 216 victims
Timothy McVeigh Mass murderer · USA · 1995 Timothy James McVeigh (April 23, 1968 – June 11, 2001) was a United States Army… 168 victims
Julio Gonzalez Mass murderer · USA · 1990 Julio Gonzalez was sentenced to 174 twenty-five-year sentences (a total of 4,35… 87 victims
David Burke Mass murderer · USA · 1987 David Augustus Burke (May 18, 1952–December 7, 1987) was an employee of USAir,… 43 victims
George Jo Hennard Mass murderer · USA · 1991 George Jo Hennard carried out a mass killing at a Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen,… 23 victims
James Huberty Mass murderer · USA · 1984 James Oliver Huberty was a 41-year-old unemployed security guard. He was born i… 21 victims
Random profiles
Amy Bishop Murderer · USA · 1986 Amy Bishop — biology professor and perpetrator · James Anderson — Bishop’s husb… 4 victims
Kyle Sharp Murderer · USA · 1995 Kyle Sharp was sentenced to death on April 7, 1997. Nine-year-old Brandon Cough… 1 victim
Seung-Hui Cho Mass murderer · USA · 2007 Seung-Hui Cho was a mass murderer who shot and killed 32 people and wounded man… 32 victims
Michele Anderson Mass murderer · USA · 2007 Michele Kristen Anderson was charged in connection with the Carnation Massacre,… 6 victims
Raymond Ratima Mass murderer · New Zealand · 1992 Raymond Wahia Ratima was an unemployed shearer and was aged 25. At the beginnin… 7 victims
LE Leslie Green Murderer · United Kingdom · 1952 Leslie Green was convicted of the murder of Alice Wiltshaw. Alice Wiltshaw died… 1 victim
Case Facts
Gender
male
Country
USA
Location
Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Date of birth
November 6, 1969
Age at first offence
24
Characteristics
rape, domestic violence, kidnapping, torture
Victim profile
Albert Luna Sr., 46; his wife, Patricia, 40; and two of their children, Rochelle, 17, whom he also raped; and Damien, 7
Method of murder
Shooting
Date(s) of murder
September 14, 1993
Years active
1993
Date of arrest
—
Status
Sentenced to death

Sentenced to death on May 22, 1996

Case Summary

Parties

  • Richard Djerf — defendant
  • Albert Luna, Sr. — victim
  • Albert Luna, Jr. — victim’s family member (family’s eldest son; Djerf believed him to have burgled his house)
  • Patricia Luna — victim
  • Rochelle Luna — victim
  • Damien Luna (5-year-old) — victim

Background

Richard Djerf believed Albert Luna, Jr. had burgled his house.

The offence

On September 14, 1993, Richard Djerf forced himself into the Luna residence at gunpoint. Patricia Luna and her 5-year-old son, Damien Luna, were at home.

Richard Djerf secured Mrs. Luna and her son by tying their arms and legs and gagging them. When Rochelle Luna arrived several hours later, Richard Djerf took her to her bedroom where he raped and killed her.

When Albert Luna, Sr. arrived at home, Richard Djerf forced him into his bedroom at gunpoint. Richard Djerf handcuffed Mr. Luna to a bed, smashed his head with a baseball bat, and then removed the handcuffs because he believed Mr. Luna was dead.

Richard Djerf returned to the kitchen where Mrs. Luna and Damien Luna remained. Mr. Luna regained consciousness and charged the defendant. Richard Djerf then killed Mr. Luna, and shot Mrs. Luna and Damien in the head.

Investigation

  • No investigation details were provided beyond the events of September 14, 1993.

Trial

  • Presiding Judge: Michael D. Ryan
  • Prosecutor(s): William K. Culbertson and Paul W. Abler
  • Guilty Plea: August 16, 1995

Sentencing

  • Sentencing date: May 22, 1996
  • Aggravating Circumstances:
    • Pecuniary gain
    • Especially, heinous, cruel, depraved
    • Multiple homicides
    • Child victim (Damien 5 years old)
  • Mitigating Circumstances: No mitigating factors

Appeals

  • Published opinions: State v. Djerf, Ariz. 959 P.2d 1274 (1998).

Outcome

  • Richard Djerf was sentenced to death on May 22, 1996.
  • A Warrant of Execution was issued by the Arizona Supreme Court for the execution of Richard Kenneth Djerf (ADC#121385) on April 3, 2002.
  • A stay was issued by the U.S. District Court in the April 3, 2002 scheduled execution of Richard Kenneth Djerf (ADC#121385).

Other details

  • The defendant’s conduct occurred within the Luna residence.
  • Richard Djerf tied Patricia Luna and Damien Luna by their arms and legs and gagged them.
  • Richard Djerf handcuffed Albert Luna, Sr. to a bed.
  • Richard Djerf removed the handcuffs after believing Mr. Luna was dead.
  • Richard Djerf shot Mrs. Luna and Damien in the head after Mr.

Explore related records

More from USA
More: Mass murderer
Other male offenders
Cases from the 1990s
4+ victims
Other cases: Sentenced to death
Offenders aged 22–26
Mass murderer in USA

Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?