Preston Lord case: William Hines sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter, 5 years for drunk driving

William Hines has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the 2023 death of East Valley teen Preston Lord.

Hines was the first of seven suspects to take a plea deal in the case. Now, he will spend more than a decade behind bars.

He will serve another five years for reckless drunk driving after being involved in a crash that left another driver in the ICU for more than a week.

Once the 12 year and five year terms are served, Hines will be placed on probation for three more years.

"It is the judgment of the court that you be sentenced to a term of 12 years in the Department of Corrections. That is slightly greater than the presumptive term. And that sentence will run consecutively to your sentence in the manslaughter case," said Judge Scott McCoy.

"If ever there was a case, it is tragic and senseless, this is it," McCoy added.

What they're saying:

"His crocodile tears when he changed his plea from guilty for manslaughter and the other attacks really mean nothing to me or to his victims and their families." - Tony Rich, Preston Lord's grandfather

"I have no words of forgiveness to offer William Owen Hines for the role he played in my son's death. The severity of the crime demands accountability, and I ask for the maximum sentence." - Nick Lord, Preston's father

"Our son's life was irreversibly changed by William Hines actions. It's my hope that William Hines receives the maximum sentence available" - Dana Zazick, mother of victim.

"No sentence will ever bring our son back. I asked that the court impose the maximum punishment. Justice will never be enough, but it is the only thing left to fight for" - Melissa Ciconte - Preston Lord's mother 

"Although I did not know Preston personally, he seemed to be an astounding man, a kind soul senselessly taken from this world. He didn't deserve not one of those kicks or punches. This act of violence has now left a man without a son, sister without a brother, and a father without his boy." - William Hines, defendant

What we know:

Hines has a lengthy criminal history the state is referring to as a path of destruction leading up to the death of Preston Lord. 

Hines has pleaded guilty in four separate cases, all of them taking place before he turned 18. 

According to court records, his criminal history starts in November 2022 with shoplifting, escalating to aggravated assault and reckless drunk driving, all before the October 2023 deadly beating of Preston Lord, which gained national attention. 

We are now learning that Hines was involved in two brass knuckle beatings in November and December 2022. 

Court paperwork obtained by FOX 10 says Hines punched a victim nine times, while the victim was pinned down to a car. 

In the summer of 2023, William Hines was drunk driving and made a left turn on a red arrow, right in front of another driver. The ensuing crash left the other driver in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury and onset seizures. 

The state brings it up in their recommendation: 

"After nearly ending another’s life, one would have expected Hines to change the path he was on. Unfortunately, he chose not to."

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Preston Lord murder: One of the suspects, William Hines, pleads guilty to manslaughter

William Hines, one of the seven suspects accused in the 2023 death of East Valley teen Preston Lord, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday.

The other side:

In Hines' guilty plea he stated he was cleaning up his life and had not consumed alcohol in a year. 

In a March 4 hearing, Hines was seen in court apologizing. 

"I do pray for forgiveness and one day I can make things right, but until then I will continue to make the world around me a better place," he said. 

Hines jail phone calls state otherwise

Court documents state Hines has been making, selling and drinking "hooch" - or homemade jail alcohol - for the last year. 

Hours after the beating of Preston Lord, Hines is seen drinking a bottle of Tito's vodka in the driver's seat. 

And a week later a bottle of Jose Quervo tequila, again in the driver's seat.

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Photos from the state's sentencing recommendation of William Owen Hines 

Big picture view:

The mob-style attack on Preston Lord is what caught national attention when it was learned a group of men beat a single victim at an East Valley Halloween party. 

Lord died at Phoenix Children's Hospital two days later. 

Hines is the first among the seven suspects in the Preston Lord case to take a plea deal at the reduced charge of manslaughter. 

A second suspect in the case may take a plea deal at the end of the month.

William Owen Hines (left) will be sentenced on May 2 on manslaughter charges in the death of Preston Lord (center, right)

What's next:

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Hines was sentenced to prison on the two most dangerous offenses: manslaughter and aggravated assault.

The state wanted these sentences to be served consecutively and recommended the maximum of 21 years.

They add that after serving his time, Hines will have a second chance at life, something Preston will never have.

Local perspective:

Supporters of Preston Lord attended the hearing, wearing orange clothing, which Lord's family has said was his favorite color.

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