A Phoenix woman is accused of both murdering her mother in cold blood and robbing her, reports
Kiarra Turner, who is currently in jail awaiting trial for burglary charges filed in September, was also charged with first-degree murder on Wednesday.
Authorities claim the 28-year-old killed her mother, 48-year-old Jewel Loring, with a blow to the head, according to Phoenix Police Department spokesman, Sgt. Trent Crump. Police also say Loring had four different types of sleeping pills in her system.
Loring was reportedly found dead in the bedroom of her home on September 17. Turner was initially the one who reported a day later that her mother's purse, safe and a gun had been stolen from her house. However, surveillance tapes reportedly showed Turner's car driving away from a dumpster that contained the stolen purse. Police also believe Turner was abusing prescription drugs - consuming 30 to 50 pills - at around the time her mother was killed.
If convicted of first degree murder alone, Kiarra Turner could face some of the harshest punishment given in Arizona. First degree murder is a class 1 felony under Arizona law, and penalties can include life imprisonment or even the death penalty if certain aggravating circumstances are present. Given the alleged facts in her case, Turner could very well face capital punishment if convicted.
If you have questions about murder charges or capital punishment laws in the state of Arizona, consider consulting the expertise of an experienced Phoenix criminal defense attorney. For more information on first degree murder, you can also see our Related Resources section below.
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney (FindLaw)
- Phoenix Woman Accused in Mother's Death Last Year (azfamily.com)
- First Degree Murder (FindLaw)
- Couple Arrested for Burned Body Dumped in Desert (Phoenix Criminal Law News)
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