Front Page Detectives
or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS

Arizona Inmate on Death Row for Killing 11-Year-Old Boy Now Accused of Murdering Cellmate Imprisoned for Drug Possession

arizona inmate accused of murdering cellmate
Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office; Mega

July 22 2023, Published 2:18 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

An Arizona man already facing the death penalty for the murder of an 11-year-old boy is facing new murder charges after he allegedly killed his cellmate, according to authorities.

On July 12, a Maricopa County grand jury indicted 34-year-old Thomas Desharnais for the murder of his cellmate, Richard Can Sr., The Arizona Republic reported.

Article continues below advertisement

Desharnais and Cano were housed together at the county’s Lower Buckeye jail when Desharnais allegedly strangled Cano to death on Sept. 24, 2022, The Arizona Republic reported.

Desharnais was in jail after he was charged with the long-term abuse and first-degree murder of an 11-year-old boy in January 2022 in Scottsdale, officials said. His wife, Stephanie M. Davis, who was also the boy’s grandmother, was also arrested and charged in connection with the case.

Anthony Ramirez, the attorney representing Cano’s family, said the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office erred by housing Cano, who was in jail for drug possession, with Desharnais, who was facing the death penalty, according to The Arizona Republic.

Cano was murdered in September 2022, but the case wasn’t handed over to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office until April 2023, Ramirez said.

MORE ON:
Murder
Article continues below advertisement

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

He claimed there has been a lack of transparency from the Sheriff’s Office in this case and that Cano’s family wasn’t notified of his death until weeks later, The Arizona Republic reported.

Ramirez said his office did receive the incident report of Cano’s death, which laid out how officials found him unconscious and tried to provide medical care. However, he said he is still awaiting a more complete picture from a thorough police investigative report.

Desharnais pleaded not guilty to the new murder charge on July 19, officials said. His next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15.

Advertisement

Become a Front Page Detective

Sign up to receive breaking
Front Page Detectives
news and exclusive investigations.

More Stories

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2024 FRONT PAGE DETECTIVES™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. FRONT PAGE DETECTIVES is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.