A Deadly Dispute in an Overcrowded Duplex
The state of Arizona has officially carried out its first execution of 2026, marking the final chapter in one of the most agonizing and cruel murder cases in Phoenix history. Leroy Dean McGill, born on February 22, 1963, was executed by lethal injection following more than two decades on death row. His execution brings a somber end to a case that began in the summer of 2002, stemming from an environment of extreme poverty, overcrowding, and a missing weapon.
In early 2002, the 39-year-old McGill and his girlfriend, Johna Hardesty, were living in a tiny, one-bedroom duplex in the Sunny Slope area of North Phoenix. The property, owned by an elderly man named Jack Yates, was intensely overcrowded. Rent was cheap, attracting individuals who had few other options. Alongside McGill and his girlfriend, the small residence housed Jack Yates, a family with two young daughters, and another couple: 20-year-old Charles Perez and his 23-year-old girlfriend, Nova Marie Banta. Because Yates occupied the single bedroom, the remaining six adults and two children slept in the living room and kitchen areas, creating a highly volatile living situation.
The tension escalated when a shotgun owned by Charles Perez, an immigrant who sold marijuana out of the duplex, suddenly went missing. Perez strongly suspected McGill of stealing the firearm. Together with the landlord, Perez evicted McGill and Hardesty from the property, forcing them onto the streets. Though they managed to find temporary shelter a few doors down days later, McGill harbored a fierce, burning resentment over the accusation and the eviction.
The Horrific Vengeance on a Couch
On July 13, 2002, at approximately 3:30 a.m., McGill returned to the duplex to exact his revenge. Most of the residents were still awake when McGill knocked on the door. The father of the two young girls answered. In a chilling moment of premeditation, McGill warned the father to get his wife and daughters out of the building immediately, stating he was there to teach Perez and Banta a lesson. The father complied, begging McGill not to hurt the landlord, Jack Yates, before fleeing with his family.
McGill then walked into the living area carrying a cup filled with gasoline. He approached Perez and Banta, who were sitting together on a couch, and told them they should not have talked about him behind his back. Before they could formulate a response, McGill threw the gasoline directly onto them and struck a match.
The couple was instantly engulfed in flames. Screaming in agony, they ran out of the duplex as the fire rapidly spread throughout the building. While Yates managed to escape unharmed and used a blanket to help extinguish the flames on Banta’s body, the damage was catastrophic. When firefighters and paramedics arrived, both victims had suffered severe third-degree burns covering more than 75% of their bodies.
Perez passed away the following day, July 14, 2002, at the hospital while screaming in unbearable pain. Banta was placed into a medically induced coma. Against incredible odds, she survived her injuries and was able to testify against McGill during his trial two years later.
Investigators later uncovered that before his arrest, McGill had openly bragged about the crime. He proudly explained to associates that he had mixed pieces of Styrofoam into the gasoline to ensure the fuel would stick to the victims’ flesh, intentionally prolonging their suffering. To this day, the missing shotgun has never been recovered, leaving the true identity of the thief a mystery.
The Long Road to Justice
McGill’s trial commenced in 2004. Facing overwhelming evidence and the survival testimony of Banta, McGill accepted responsibility for the charges. On November 10, 2004, he was officially sentenced to death. For over twenty years, he remained on death row, utilizing every available legal avenue to appeal his sentence. His execution was ultimately finalized and scheduled for May 20, 2026.
Retired Phoenix Police homicide detective Tommy Kulessa, who led the original investigation, reflected on the case’s long timeline. He noted that for 22 years, McGill possessed a voice to argue for his life, while Perez was permanently silenced. The dedication of law enforcement was driven by a need to speak for those who could no longer speak for themselves.
Inside the Execution Chamber
The execution process began on the morning of May 20, 2026. Media witnesses, including television journalists, were transported to the small, specialized facility at 9:55 a.m. The viewing room consisted of three rows of black, bench-style seating facing a large glass panel covered by black curtains. Monitors in the room provided multiple overhead angles of the execution room.
At 10:01 a.m., McGill was led into the chamber. Observers noted he showed no outward emotion as he approached and lay down upon the gurney. He was dressed entirely in white prison garments. At 10:04 a.m., the black curtains were drawn open, revealing four Department of Corrections employees dressed in full white protective gear that completely obscured their identities, leaving only their eyes visible.
The medical team quickly located suitable veins in both of McGill’s arms to insert the intravenous lines. The process proceeded smoothly without any technical complications. Once the IV lines were secured, McGill scanned the witness room, looking directly at the attendees through the glass, and offered a distinct nod to individuals seated in the rows behind the media, presumed to be his family members.
When asked by the director if he had any final words, McGill spoke calmly, saying, “Thank you everyone for being so accommodating and nice.” Witnesses also heard him add, “I’m going home soon.”
Following his statement, a spiritual advisor entered the room, standing at the head of the gurney to deliver a blessing. The advisor recited the Lord’s Prayer and offered remission for McGill’s sins. As the prayer concluded, McGill uttered his final word: “Amen.”
At 10:12 a.m., the administration of the lethal chemicals began. The medical team pushed a series of syringes into the IV lines. The process appeared physically painless to observers; McGill simply took long, deep breaths through his nose, causing his abdomen to rise and fall significantly. Shortly thereafter, a brief snoring sound was heard, lasting between 30 seconds to a minute, followed by absolute silence.
McGill remained entirely motionless for the remaining minutes. The only visible movement occurred at 10:22 a.m., when a slight muscle twitch was observed on the right side of his head. At 10:26 a.m., an official entered the room and formally pronounced the time of death. The black curtains were closed, and the witnesses were escorted from the building, bringing a permanent close to a violent legacy that began twenty-four years prior.
