Viva Leroy Nash

Murderer

2known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: USA
Location: Utah/Arizona, USA
Date of birth: September 10, 1915
Age at first offence: 62
Characteristics: robbery, escape
Victim profile: David J. Woodhurst (postal carrier) / Gregory D. West (coin shop employee)
Method of murder: Shooting
Date(s) of murder: 1977 / 1982
Years active: 1977–1982
Date of arrest: November 3, 1982
Status: Died in custody
Sentenced to death in Arizona on June 27, 1983; died on February 12, 2010

Case Summary

Case record: Viva Leroy Nash

Status

Viva Leroy Nash was sentenced to death in Arizona on June 27, 1983. He died on February 12, 2010.

Background

Nash was Caucasian.

While serving two consecutive life sentences for murder and robbery in Utah, Nash escaped.

The offence

Three weeks after his escape, on November 3, 1982, Nash entered a coin shop in north Phoenix.

Nash demanded money from an employee, Gregory West.

Nash shot Gregory West three times with a .357 Colt trooper.

Another employee was in the line of fire but was not hit.

Investigation and arrest

As Nash fled, the proprietor of a nearby shop pointed a gun at him and told him to stop.

Nash grabbed the weapon and the two men struggled over it.

Police officers soon arrived and arrested Nash.

Trial

The presiding judge was Rufus Coulter.

The prosecutor was Gregg Thurston.

Start of trial: May 25, 1983 (submission).

Verdict: May 25, 1983.

Sentencing

Sentencing: June 27, 1983.

Aggravating circumstances were:

Prior conviction involving violence
Grave risk of death to others
Pecuniary gain

Mitigating circumstances were:

None

Appeals and published opinions

Published opinions included State v. Nash, 143 Ariz. 392, 694 P.2d 222 (1985).

Disposition (prior convictions and sentencing history)

Nash had two terms of five years to life for murder/robbery in Utah in 1978; he escaped in 1982 and was later condemned in Arizona in 1983.

Other details

Nash’s sex was M.

Nash’s race was W.

Nash’s motive was CE.

The case recorded “Killed holdup victims” as the method of killing (MO: Killed holdup victims).

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