Fred Robinson
Murderer
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1 victim
- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Yuma County, Arizona, USA
- Date of birth
- May 3, 1941
- Age at first offence
- 46
- Characteristics
- robbery, domestic violence
- Victim profile
- Sterleen Hill (stepmother of his girlfriend)
- Method of murder
- Shooting (12-gauge shotgun)
- Date(s) of murder
- June 9, 1987
- Years active
- 1987
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Sentenced to death
Sentenced to death on January 13, 1988
Background
Fred Robinson and Susan Hill lived together for a number of years. Beginning in 1984, Susan made several efforts to leave Robinson, but he always forced her to return. In February 1987, Susan left Robinson for a week to visit her father, Mr. Hill, and stepmother, Sterleen Hill, in Yuma. After this visit, Susan went to California to live with other relatives and did not tell Robinson.
On June 8, 1987, Robinson decided to go to Yuma and bring Susan back. Robinson persuaded his friends, Theodore Washington and Jimmy Mathers, to go with him.
The offence
The men loaded Robinson's car with weapons and drove to Yuma. Washington was wearing a red bandanna.
Around 11:45 p.m., two men entered the Hills' home. They forced Mr. and Mrs. Hill to lie on their bedroom floor and tied them up. A black man wearing a red bandanna held a gun to Mr. Hill's head, then ransacked the drawers and closet while the second man stood over the Hills.
One of the men shot the Hills with a 12-gauge shotgun. Mrs. Hill died from her wounds, but Mr. Hill survived.
Investigation
No investigation details were included.
Trial
Robinson, Theodore Washington, and Jimmy Mathers were tried jointly. The trial presiding judge was H. Stewart Bradshaw, and the prosecutor was William V. Gallo.
The start of trial was December 1, 1987. The verdict was December 15, 1987. Each received the death penalty.
Sentencing
Sentencing occurred on January 13, 1988.
Aggravating circumstances were listed as:
- Procured commission of the offense
- Pecuniary gain (struck on appeal)
- Especially heinous/cruel/depraved
Mitigating circumstances were listed as: None.
Appeals
On appeal, the state supreme court reversed Mathers' conviction, finding insufficient evidence to support the jury verdict.
The pecuniary gain aggravating circumstance was struck on appeal.
The published opinion was State v. Robinson, 165 Ariz. 51, 796 P.2d 853 (1990).
Outcome
Robinson was sentenced to death on January 13, 1988. The state supreme court reversed Mathers' conviction on appeal for insufficient evidence to support the jury verdict.
Other details
Washington was wearing a red bandanna during the events at the Hills' home. Robinson persuaded Theodore Washington and Jimmy Mathers to go with him on June 8, 1987.
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