Ares Adle: Man who killed aunt when he was 14 learns his fate in court

PHOENIX - A man accused of killing his aunt when he was just 14 years old appeared in court for sentencing on December 5.

Ares Adle, now 20, was charged as an adult for the deadly stabbing of 42-year-old Tonya Harper in 2019. The stabbing happened at Harper's home in Chandler, located near Chandler Heights and Alma School Roads. Investigators say Adle also cut phone lines and hid cell phones, so no one could call for help in time to save Harper.

Harper's final words reportedly were "I think Ares did it."

Adle, now 20, was charged as an adult for the stabbing, and was found guilty of second degree murder in October 2024. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Victim's loved ones appear in court

In court on Thursday, family and friends unleashed emotions on Adle, who was sitting silent and still during the proceedings.

"She was taken away in a place that she thought she would be safe. She was gonna wake up, wake up to another day," said one person, referring to the victim.

"It’s all anger. This is not fear. He had no right to do this. He had no right and he knows it," said another person.

Meanwhile, another side of the family had a different take on what happened, as they blamed Adle's poor mental health for the murder.

"I just feel like there’s more mental issues that were not considered, and I feel like there’s a different place for him rather than a prison," said one family member.

Following his sentencing, Adle spoke to both sides of a family that is now divided.

"I never wanted to hurt anyone in my family. I just made a mistake and I couldn’t control it. I want everybody to know that that is serious, and even though I didn’t say I was sorry, doesn’t mean I wasn’t sorry every day and night, and crying and thinking about what happened," said Adle.