David Hyde
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Date of birth
- J une 18, 1962
- Age at first offence
- 29
- Characteristics
- robbery, beheading
- Victim profile
- John Lee, 72, and his daughter Ginger Lee, 50
- Method of murder
- Beating with a large Bowie Knife
- Date(s) of murder
- March 8, 1991
- Years active
- 1991
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Sentenced to death
Sentenced to death on July 23, 1992; conviction vacated on May 16, 2002
Case identification
David Hyde was convicted in connection with the murders of John Lee and Ginger Lee.
Background
John Lee owned and operated the Joyland Market for decades. Ginger Lee worked at the market in the evenings after working during the day as an elementary school teacher at Griffith School in Phoenix.
The offence
On March 8, 1991, John Lee, age 72, and Ginger Lee, age 50, were found bludgeoned to death on the floor of the Joyland Market in Phoenix, Arizona. Hyde beat John Lee over the head with a large Bowie Knife, and then Hyde beat Ginger Lee repeatedly over the head with the same knife. Hyde and Jackie Johnson took approximately $700 from the Lees.
Investigation
An anonymous tip led police officers to Hyde and his step-brother, Jackie Johnson. Hyde made incriminating statements to police officers. Following his incarceration in the Madison Street Jail in Phoenix, Hyde made incriminating statements to his cell-mate.
Hyde’s statements suggested that he and his step-brother needed money to leave Phoenix. Johnson attempted to steal Ginger Lee’s purse, but Ginger Lee caught him in the act and a scuffle ensued. When John Lee attempted to help his daughter, Hyde beat him over the head with a large Bowie Knife, then beat Ginger repeatedly over the head with the same knife.
Trial
Hyde’s trial proceeded with the following officials and dates: Presiding Judge: John H. Seidel; Prosecutor: Noel Levy. Trial start was May 11, 1992, and the verdict was May 29, 1992.
Johnson was tried separately and was acquitted of both murders.
Sentencing
Sentencing occurred on July 23, 1992. Hyde was sentenced to death. The aggravating circumstances were pecuniary gain, “especially heinous and depraved,” and that the defendant was convicted of more than one homicide. The mitigating circumstances were none.
Appeals
State v. Hyde was published as 186 Ariz. 252, 921 P.2d 655 (1996). Hyde’s sentence was vacated on May 16, 2002.
Outcome
Hyde’s conviction and sentence were vacated on May 16, 2002. Johnson was acquitted of both murders.
Other details
Hyde was incarcerated in the Madison Street Jail in Phoenix, where he made incriminating statements to his cell-mate.
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