Friday, June 3, 2011

Mesa, AZ: Mesa man gets two life sentences in killings

A Mesa man who shot and killed a woman and her boyfriend during a graduation party will not get the death penalty, but will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Brent Matthew Banks, 39, killed Sally Johnson-Huddletston, 38, during her daughter's high school graduation party at their Mesa home on May 23, 2009 before shooting and killing Auston Blanks, 32, in a fit of jealous rage. He received two life sentences in Maricopa County Superior Court on Wednesday, according to court records.

Banks was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and nine counts of aggravated assault. In addition to the two life sentences, Banks received 92 years and six months on the other aggravated assault-related counts.

Banks also shot Mesa police officer Steven Cervantes in the arm, causing him serious injuries that resulted in a number of operations and also injured his son.

Banks surrendered after a brief standoff with SWAT officers, and said he shot Johnson-Huddletston after he saw her kissing Blanks during the party.

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