The seventh person arrested in connection with the fatal assault of Preston Lord made his first court appearance Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Treston John Billy, 18, of Gilbert, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery.
Bryn K. DeFusco, an attorney representing Preston Lord's family, spoke in court and asked the judge to keep bail in Billy's case at $1 million, which it did.
“Your Honor, witnesses in this case were intimidated into silence for months. Additionally, all defendants assaulted Preston and then fled the scene,” DeFusco said.
Six other people charged in connection with Lord's death made their first court appearances in the case Thursday.
William “Owen” Hines, 18, Taylor Sherman, 19, and Dominic Turner, 20, had their first appearance hearings in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Jacob Misner, Taran Renner and Taryn Vigil appeared in juvenile court. They were charged as adults despite being 17 years old.
All defendants are charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. Meisner, Turner and Billy are also charged with aggravated robbery.
Billy's next court appearance is March 14th.
Here's where to contact the reporter: miguel.torres@arizonarepublic.com.
