Chad Alan Lee

Case overview

Chad Alan Lee was convicted in two separate proceedings involving kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, and murder. He was sentenced to death on March 24, 1994.

People

• Chad Alan Lee (defendant)
• Linda Reynolds (victim), a Pizza Hut delivery person
• David Hunt (co-defendant)
• David Lacey (victim), a Metro Taxi Cab driver
• Harold Drury (victim), a store clerk

Background

Chad Alan Lee was described with mitigating circumstances including age, lack of significant criminal history, deprived childhood, cooperation with police and assistance in recovery of the weapons and other evidence, and expression of remorse. Aggravating circumstances included prior conviction for a capital crime, prior conviction involving violence, pecuniary gain, and especially heinous, cruel and depraved (Linda Reynolds), and especially depraved (David Lacey).

The offence

Kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, and murder of Linda Reynolds

On April 6, 1992, Chad Lee and 14-year-old David Hunt kidnapped Linda Reynolds, a Pizza Hut delivery person, from a vacant house. They forced her to remove her clothing in the backyard. Lee and Hunt drove her out to the desert area of Camelback and 115th Avenue. They destroyed her car, sexually assaulted her, and robbed her. Lee and Hunt then drove her to the First Interstate Bank at 83rd Avenue and Indian School, where they forced her to withdraw $20 from the automatic teller machine. They then drove her back to the desert area. Lee shot Linda in the head. However, because Linda was still alive, Lee stabbed her twice in the chest, perforating her heart and lung.

Robbery and murder of David Lacey

On April 15, 1992, Lee and Hunt robbed and murdered David Lacey, a Metro Taxi Cab driver. Lee shot David Lacey four times, and dumped his body. Lee and Hunt abandoned the cab in another location.

Robbery of Harold Drury at AM-PM mini-market

On April 27, 1992, at 1:00 a.m., Chad Lee entered the AM-PM mini-market on 19th Avenue, in Phoenix, with the intent to rob store and leave no witnesses. Lee pulled a gun on the clerk, Harold Drury, and demanded money. Lee pulled out the entire cash drawer, instead of the cash, to prevent the surveillance camera from activating. Lee shot Drury multiple times. Lee then dismantled the revolver and threw it in a dumpster across the street from the market.

Investigation

Chad Lee cooperated with police and assisted in recovery of the weapons and other evidence.

Trial

Proceedings leading to death sentence

• Presiding Judge: Ronald S. Reinstein
• Prosecutor: Al Fenzel
• Start of Trial: March 9, 1994
• Verdict: March 24, 1994
• Sentencing: June 23, 1994

Aggravating Circumstances:

• Prior conviction for a capital crime
• Prior conviction involving violence
• Pecuniary gain
• Especially heinous, cruel and depraved (Linda Reynolds)
• Especially depraved (David Lacey)

Mitigating Circumstances:

• Age
• Lack of significant criminal history
• Deprived childhood
• Cooperation with police and assistance in recovery of the weapons and other evidence
• Expression of remorse

Published Opinions:

• State v. Lee (1), 189 Ariz. 590, 944 P.2d 1204 (1997).

Additional proceedings

• Presiding Judge: Ronald S. Reinstein
• Prosecutor: Al Fenzel
• Start of Trial: August 23, 1994
• Verdict: August 29, 1994
• Sentencing: October 5, 1994

Aggravating Circumstances:

• Pecuniary gain
• Especially heinous, cruel and depraved

Mitigating Circumstances:

• Age
• Deprived childhood

Published Opinions:

• State v. Lee (II), 189 Ariz. 608, 944 P.2d 1222 (1997).

Sentencing

Chad Alan Lee was sentenced to death on March 24, 1994.

Appeals

The following published opinions were associated with the case:

• State v. Lee (1), 189 Ariz. 590, 944 P.2d 1204 (1997).
• State v. Lee (II), 189 Ariz. 608, 944 P.2d 1222 (1997).

Other details

Chad Lee entered the AM-PM mini-market with the intent to rob store and leave no witnesses. He pulled out the entire cash drawer to prevent the surveillance camera from activating. He dismantled the revolver and threw it in a dumpster across the street from the market.