PHOENIX, AZ (February 15, 2012) – A Maricopa County Grand Jury has charged Michael Lee Crane (D.O.B. 6/9/80) with two counts of First Degree Murder for causing the January 30th, 2012 deaths of Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro. The same 15-count indictment also charges Crane and an accomplice with First Degree Murder for the January 26th, 2012 homicide of Bruce Gaudet in Phoenix. The identity of Crane’s accomplice is currently withheld pending service of the charges.
The Grand Jury also delivered a separate 10-count indictment against Kelly Ann Steward (D.O.B. 7/29/82), Brittany Beinhauer (D.O.B. 5/5/84), Shawn Eric Nicloy (D.O.B. 5/28/82), Danielle Elaine Rossman (D.O.B. 1/25/86) and Katherine Adele Austin (D.O.B. 3/12/86). The five face charges including Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property and Hindering Prosecution in connection with both the Shapiro and Gaudet homicides.
In addition to the two murder counts for the Shapiro homicides, Crane faces two counts of Kidnapping, one count of First Degree Burglary, one count of Arson of an Occupied Structure, one count of Arson of a Structure or Property, and two counts of Armed Robbery. Crane and his accomplice are both charged with one count of Kidnapping, one count of Burglary, one count of Armed Robbery, and one count of Theft of Means of Transportation in connection with the Gaudet homicide. Crane also faces one count of Arson of an Occupied Structure for the fire at Gaudet’s residence. All of the offenses charged are classified as Dangerous Felonies because they allegedly involved the discharge, use or threatening exhibition of a gun and/or infliction of serious physical injury.
All seven defendants are currently in custody. Crane, Steward and Beinhauer are scheduled to be arraigned on February 21, 2012. Nicloy, Rossman and Austin are scheduled to be arraigned on February 16, 2012.
The indictments announced today are not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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