Thursday, November 15, 2007

Man Gets Death In Child's Drowning
Boy. 2, Held Underwater Until He Died


PHOENIX -- A Mesa man convicted in the drowning death of a two-year-old boy faces the death penalty.

A jury has sentenced Derek Chappell, 25, to death for the 2004 murder of Devon Shackleford.

Chappell was convicted in August of first-degree murder.

Investigators said Chappell took the child from his ex-girlfriend's apartment to an apartment complex swimming pool.

He then held the child under the water while the boy struggled for his life.

Chappell left the boy face down in the pool and walked away.

Investigators said Chappell killed Devon because Chappell felt the child was responsible for the breakup of his relationship with Devon's mother.

Chappell was also convicted of child abuse for choking Devon in 2003.

Shortly after the second conviction on the murder charge, a jury began hearing evidence in the death penalty phase of the trial.

On Wednesday, the panel decided that Chappell should be executed.

"I believe the jury made the right decision in response to this gruesome murder of a defenseless child," Thomas said.

"Today's verdict will not bring Devon back. But it will send a message that our society is prepared to seek the ultimate penalty in order to protect innocent life," Thomas said.

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This is terrible. He thought that the boy was the reason for the breakup? That's pathedic. A child is supposed to be a parents' favorite posession. I'm glad that guy got to get the death penaltly. I really despise people like that. They don't need to be in this world. It's really dumb that some people are like that. What do you think about this??

Please comment

1 comment:

♥TonyaJean♥ said...

Yeah, he got what he deserved. But that still doesn't bring Devon back. And I could see why she would leave he anyways.....the man choked Devon in 2003. Man, if a guy choked one of my children's I wouldn't want to be with him either. I just can't see how people can do this????????