No charges against Queen Creek homeowners who hosted party before Preston Lord attack

On October 30, 2024By Karl

PHOENIX (AZ Family) — Prosecutors investigated and declined to file charges against the hosts of a Halloween party attended by East Valley teenager Preston Lord a year ago before he was brutally beaten after the party broke up, the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office said.

Police had filed referrals against the homeowners for charges of “criminal nuisance,” a low-level misdemeanor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a class 1 misdemeanor. However, the prosecution was dismissed on the grounds that “the prospect of conviction was not reasonable”.

In a disposition letter obtained by Arizona Family, prosecutors explained there was no evidence that parents gave alcohol to minors or “encouraged” minors to drink or engage in criminal activity. Additionally, authorities say parents broke up the party after a fight unrelated to the Preston Lord attack that occurred off the property a short time later.

“While it may not be ideal for parents to fail to carefully manage their property and take action no earlier than 40 to 45 minutes, these delays do not rise to the level of a crime under the law,” the letter said.

Regarding the disturbance charge, prosecutors said there was no evidence to suggest that the disturbance was caused by the intentional actions of the parents, but rather by the intentional actions of others.

More than 100 people gathered on Monday mark a year Since the brutal attack on the Lord. He died two days later at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Seven suspects were charged in his death, five of whom were separated. Their trial is tentatively set for July 21, 2025.

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