Phoenix priest killed with fellow clergyman’s gun
Gary Michael Moran, 54, a homeless ex-convict with a history of violence and drug abuse released from prison in April, was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of first-degree murder, burglary, and armed robbery, among other charges, police announced Monday.
Moran stole a camera from the priests and fled in Walker’s car, which was found abandoned a few blocks away from the church last Wednesday night.
The attack occurred after the Rev. Joseph Terra opened the kitchen door of the Mother of Mercy Mission rectory to investigate noises in a courtyard on Wednesday night, police said.
Badly injured, the 56-year-old Terra made it to his bedroom and retrieved his .357-caliber gun but was unable to fire before the attacker grabbed it, forced the priest to his knees and demanded 15031, according to court records.
Terra soon blacked out. When he regained consciousness, the Rev. Kenneth Walker had been shot.
Walker, 28, died later that night.
Terra, who was able to give Walker last rites after the assault, remained hospitalized on Monday. He was moved out of a hospital intensive care unit Saturday and is expected to make a full recovery.
Moran had served about eight years on charges that included aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
In that case, police said, Moran broke into a Phoenix apartment and stabbed a resident in the abdomen with a steak knife. They said Moran didn’t know the victim or recall the crime and cited a history of drug abuse.
Moran also was sentenced to more than four years in prison after pleading guilty in 2001 to misconduct involving weapons. He was convicted in two 1989 burglaries, as well.
During his recent stint in prison, Moran was found guilty of more than a dozen infractions, including four for drug manufacturing and possession, Corrections Department records show.
Detectives were later able to link Moran to the crime scene through DNA.
On Sunday, a man came to the police station to report that he had heard Moran “was bragging about beating a priest and robbing him,” according to court records.
A day later, a woman told police Moran had given her a black bag that contained the priest’s camera.
Police said Moran acknowledged his involvement in the crime.
www.reviewjournal.com/…/phoenix-priest-…
Moran stole a camera from the priests and fled in Walker’s car, which was found abandoned a few blocks away from the church last Wednesday night.
The attack occurred after the Rev. Joseph Terra opened the kitchen door of the Mother of Mercy Mission rectory to investigate noises in a courtyard on Wednesday night, police said.
Badly injured, the 56-year-old Terra made it to his bedroom and retrieved his .357-caliber gun but was unable to fire before the attacker grabbed it, forced the priest to his knees and demanded 15031, according to court records.
Terra soon blacked out. When he regained consciousness, the Rev. Kenneth Walker had been shot.
Walker, 28, died later that night.
Terra, who was able to give Walker last rites after the assault, remained hospitalized on Monday. He was moved out of a hospital intensive care unit Saturday and is expected to make a full recovery.
Moran had served about eight years on charges that included aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
In that case, police said, Moran broke into a Phoenix apartment and stabbed a resident in the abdomen with a steak knife. They said Moran didn’t know the victim or recall the crime and cited a history of drug abuse.
Moran also was sentenced to more than four years in prison after pleading guilty in 2001 to misconduct involving weapons. He was convicted in two 1989 burglaries, as well.
During his recent stint in prison, Moran was found guilty of more than a dozen infractions, including four for drug manufacturing and possession, Corrections Department records show.
Detectives were later able to link Moran to the crime scene through DNA.
On Sunday, a man came to the police station to report that he had heard Moran “was bragging about beating a priest and robbing him,” according to court records.
A day later, a woman told police Moran had given her a black bag that contained the priest’s camera.
Police said Moran acknowledged his involvement in the crime.
www.reviewjournal.com/…/phoenix-priest-…