Queen Creek police say they are working to gather 'proof beyond a reasonable doubt' in Preston Lord case
The day after hundreds of people marched down sidewalks in Queen Creek to mark the one-month anniversary of the attack that led to the death of Preston Lord, the town's police department assured the community it is working to obtain "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" to ensure successful prosecutions.
"We understand the community wants an arrest or more information about why an arrest has not taken place," Queen Creek police Chief Randy Brice said in a statement on Wednesday. "While we cannot release information that could compromise the prosecution of this case, I want to reiterate that we want more than just an arrest. We want to ensure that those involved are convicted."
Brice's words echoed a statement made Tuesday evening outside the department's headquarters by Preston's aunt, Melissa Lord.
"We don't just want an arrest; we want a conviction," she said to the gathered crowd after their 2-mile procession. Preston, 16, died two days after he was found beaten in the street outside a Halloween party.
On Wednesday, Queen Creek police officials said more than 200 tips had been received and processed, including 29 through the FBI. They all have been "reviewed, assigned, investigated, and documented," according to the Police Department.
"We remain committed to helping bring justice to the individuals who participated in this terrible crime. We appreciate the community's patience and outpouring of support for the family as they grieve the senseless loss of Preston," Brice said in Wednesday's statement.
Investigators have conducted hundreds of interviews and served 49 search warrants so far, according to the Police Department. "The evidence gathered from these actions requires extensive analysis and review," the department's statement said.
Details about the investigation cannot be released now "to protect the integrity of the process," the statement said.
On Oct. 28, police received a call shortly before 10 p.m. about an assault near 194th Street and Via del Rancho. When officers arrived roughly three minutes later, they found Preston lying in the street. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and died two days later.
A #Justice4PrestonLord movement has developed in the East Valley and online. At Tuesday's march, people of all ages wore orange, Preston's favorite color, carried candles and held signs demanding justice.
"The community walk that was held last night was a true showing of support from our community for the family," Brice said.
The Queen Creek Police Department is accepting tips about Preston Lord's death via phone at 480-358-3575 or email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips, images and video can be submitted online to Queen Creek police at https://p3tips.com/952.
The FBI is accepting information at www.fbi.gov/prestonlord and via 1-800-CALL-FBI.
'We want a conviction': Hundreds turn out to march in Queen Creek in memory of Preston Lord
Reach the reporter Elena Santa Cruz at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police seek 'proof beyond a reasonable doubt' in Preston Lord case
