Clarence David Hill

Murderer?

1known / alleged victims (1 ?)

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: USA
Location: Mohave Valley, Arizona, USA
Date of birth: J uly 25, 1948
Age at first offence: 41
Characteristics: murder for hire
Victim profile: Dale Edmundson (his landlord)
Method of murder: Poured paint thinner on the victim and set on fire
Date(s) of murder: June 18, 1989
Years active: 1989
Date of arrest: —
Status: Sentenced to death on June 5, 1990; conviction overturned on appeal with Clarence David Hill released from custody after DNA evidence was found inconsistent with blood on his clothing and on a bed sheet, and he entered a plea of “No contest” and was released with time served on October 12, 2005

Case Summary

Case overview

Clarence David Hill lived in a small motor home on Dale Edmundson's property in Mohave Valley. Early in the morning of June 18, 1989, Hill was drinking with Edmundson in Edmundson's home.

Hill struck Edmundson over the head with a blunt object. Hill wrapped Edmundson in a blanket and then drove Edmundson to a desert area. Hill put the still living Edmundson on the ground and poured paint thinner on him. Hill then set Edmundson on fire and left him to die. Police discovered the still burning body at 5:00 a.m.

Background

Hill lived in a small motor home on Dale Edmundson's property in Mohave Valley.

The offence

In the early morning of June 18, 1989, Hill hit Dale Edmundson over the head with a blunt object. Hill wrapped Edmundson in a blanket, drove him to a desert area, and left Edmundson still living when Hill put him on the ground. Hill poured paint thinner on Edmundson, set Edmundson on fire, and left him to die.

Investigation

Recent DNA testing found that the victim’s blood was not the blood found on Hill's clothing and on a bed sheet.

Trial

Presiding Judge: Leonard C. Langford. Prosecutor: John S. Taylor.

Start of Trial: December 5, 1989. Verdict: December 29, 1989.

Sentencing

Sentencing took place on June 5, 1990.

Aggravating Circumstances included a prior conviction involving violence and pecuniary gain, and it was found especially heinous/cruel/depraved.

Mitigating Circumstances were stated as: None sufficient to call for leniency.

Appeals

Hill's conviction was overturned based on DNA evidence. Judge Richard Weiss of Mohave County Superior Court issued an April 14 ruling overturning Hill's conviction.

“It is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have convicted Mr. Hill in light of the present DNA evidence,” Judge Richard Weiss of Mohave County Superior Court wrote in an April 14 ruling to overturn Hill's conviction.

Outcome

Clarence David Hill was released from Mohave County jail at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 12, 2005.

After about 6 months of the DA trying to determine how to deal with the new evidence, Hill was brought back to Mohave County. Hill entered a “No contest” plea to the charges and was released with time served due to ill health.

Published opinions

State v. Hill, 174 Ariz. 313, 848 P.2d 1375 (1993).

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