1996 Tucson murders

Murders in Arizona, US April 2025 August 2025 Tucson, Arizona, United States Police Secure Scene After Tucson Shooting.jpg Tucson police officers guard the perimeters firefighter's union hall after a shooting. May 30 – June 13, 1996 Armed robbery and murder by shooting 6 murdered, 1 injured Robert Glen Jones Jr., 25Scott Nordstrom, 27 Guilty First-degree murderAttempted murderBurglary (2 counts)Robbery (3 counts)Jones and Nordstrom were convicted of other crimes before and after the killing spree. These particular convictions are for the killing spree. yes JonesDeathNordstromDeath Between May 30, 1996, and June 13, 1996, both Scott Douglas Nordstrom (born September 28, 1967) and Robert Glen Jones Jr. (December 25, 1969 – October 23, 2013) committed a series of robbery-murders in Tucson, Arizona. On May 30, 1996, both Nordstrom and Jones fired multiple shots at five men while robbing a smoke shop, resulting in two deaths and one wounded. On June 13, 1996, Jones and Nordstrom committed another robbery at a firefighters union hall, and together, both men murdered a female bartender and three customers during the robbery. Both Nordstrom and Jones, the latter who killed a seventh victim in Phoenix in August 1996, were arrested and charged with all the murders in Tucson. Jones was found guilty of all the six Tucson murders and sentenced to death, as well as life imprisonment for the August 1996 murder of Richard Roels. Jones was ultimately executed by lethal injection on October 23, 2013. Nordstrom was similarly sentenced to death for his role in the Tucson murders and is currently on death row awaiting execution. Murders Smoke shop robbery-murders On May 30, 1996, two gunmen – 26-year-old Robert Glen Jones Jr. and 28-year-old Scott Douglas Nordstrom – barged into a local smoke shop in Tucson, Arizona, with Nordstrom's brother, David, acting as both a getaway driver and lookout.Arizona executes man convicted of killing six in 1996 October 23, 2013 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us/arizona-executes-man-convicted-of-killing-six-in-1996-idUSBRE99M0ZQ/2 men shot to death at smoke shop May 31, 1996 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/2-men-shot-to-death-at-smoke-shop/article_7767e300-235f-11e6-a78e-b3109884c964.html Inside the store, Jones and Nordstrom followed the store's customer, 47-year-old Clarence Odell III (also known as Chip O'Dell), and Jones shot Odell once in the back of the head, before he and Nordstrom held the store's four employees – Noel Engels, Thomas Hardman, Steve Vetter, and Mark Naiman – at gunpoint. Jones demanded that one of the workers to open the register, but after the employee, Naiman, did so, Jones tried to execute the others, firing multiple shots at Engels and Vetter.State v. Jones [2000], Arizona Supreme Court (United States). Naiman managed to escape the store during the shooting and went to call the police. As for the other three, Engels wouldn't cooperate and was shot at from less than two feet but Jones missed, while Hardman was shot in the head (with the bullet fired by Nordstrom) after coming out of the bathroom where he had barricaded himself and Vetter was shot in the face and arm while lying next to Engels. Hardman died on the scene while Vetter survived his wounds. Firefighters Union Hall murders On June 13, 1996, two weeks after the murders of Hardman and Odell, both Jones and Nordstrom committed another armed robbery at a local firefighters union hall in Tucson, and this time, the pair had murdered another four people.4 slain at firefighters' union hall June 14, 1996 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/4-slain-at-firefighters-union-hall/article_6f508202-2360-11e6-a24c-5fbf9227e8be.html At the club itself, there were four people present before the robbery, namely the 50-year-old bartender Carol Lynn Noel and three customers, 53-year-old Maribeth Munn and a couple: 54-year-old Arthur "Taco" Bell and 46-year-old Judy Bell. Jones and Nordstrom, who were armed with guns, entered the place and held all four hostage at gunpoint. After they took about $1,300 from the cash register, the two gunmen shot and killed all the four hostages. Noel was being assaulted before being shot twice, while the rest were ordered to rest their heads on the bar, before they were each shot in the head and died from the execution-style shootings. Munn's partner Nathan Alicata discovered the bodies at 9.20pm, which therefore brought the murders into revelation. At the scene, the police recovered a total of three 9mm shell casings, two live 9mm shells, and two .380 shell casings. Seventh murder and arrests Although it was unrelated to the Tucson robbery-murders, Robert Jones Jr. committed a seventh murder, this time in Phoenix, Arizona, with another accomplice.Man who killed 7 in Arizona put to death October 23, 2013 USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/23/killer-robert-jones-execution-arizona/3168907/ On August 23, 1996, Jones and his second accomplice Stephen Coats committed a robbery in the Phoenix home of a local resident named Richard Roels, a retired Arizona Republic executive. Roels was killed by a gunshot wound to his head, and both Coats and Jones stole his credit cards, which they used to buy pizzas and cowboy boots. Ultimately, the police were able to track the stolen credit cards and its purchases to both Jones and Coats, who were found seeking shelter at a local motel after the murder of Roels. The police gave chase after the two men on a car chase until the pair accidentally crashed their car, and they were caught after attempting to flee on foot. After the arrest of Jones for the killing of Roels, the police managed to link Jones to the six Tucson murders, after Nordstrom's brother David came forward with crucial information, confessing that he drove the get-away vehicle and that both Nordstrom and Jones were responsible for killing the six victims throughout the two-week robbery spree. The Nordstrom brothers were arrested in January 1997, about seven to eight months after the occurrence of the first two Tucson killings; Scott Nordstrom faced six counts of first-degree murder while David Nordstrom faced two counts of first-degree murder.Union hall, smoke shop killing arrests: Two brothers in custody in six 1996 slayings January 18, 1997 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/article_fe1b0064-2362-11e6-920a-db181fe7959c.htmlAfter 2 arrests in 6 murders, cops seek more tips January 19, 1997 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/article_761dd392-2364-11e6-9d70-1fe80899f6ef.html Jones, who was already in custody for the murder of Roels, was first arraigned in court in June 1997 for additional charges of first-degree murder for the Tucson slayings,Grand jury hears evidence on suspect in 6 slayings June 18, 1997 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/article_f4868ad4-236a-11e6-af59-0fbb4fb3a742.html and on July 2, 1997, Jones was formally indicted by a Pima County grand jury for the Tucson killings.Grand jury indicts Jones in union hall, smoke shop deaths July 3, 1997 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/article_2a32759e-236b-11e6-9c47-e736654e20c6.html The Nordstrom brothers were indicted by another Pima County grand jury at a much earlier date in February 1997.Brothers Indicted In Slayings Of Six February 13, 1997 Kingman Daily MinerBrothers indicted in six '96 killings https://tucson.com/article_3a2aa442-2368-11e6-90ae-f7e4df23e76e.html February 13, 1997 Arizona Daily Star Eventually, in June 1997, the murder charges against David Nordstrom were dismissed, after he agreed to testify against his brother as a condition to plead guilty to an armed robbery charge, and the prosecution also settled on a five-year jail term for David Nordstrom.David Nordstrom makes deal in 2 slayings June 11, 1997 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/david-nordstrom-makes-deal-in-2-slayings/article_cfa66e00-236a-11e6-81a0-f7705e30bec1.html Trial proceedings Scott Nordstrom 150px|thumb|right|Scott Nordstrom In October 1997, Scott Nordstrom was the first out of the two perpetrators to stand trial for the Tucson slayings, with jury selection slated to begin that same month.Jurors Chosen For Trial Of Murder Suspect Scott Nordstrom October 23, 1997 The Daily Courier His brother David testified against him during the trial proceedings.Brother turns against brother October 31, 1997 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/article_2a32759e-236b-11e6-9c47-e736654e20c6.html Nordstrom, in his defense, claimed that he was innocent and framed by his brother, and put up an alibi defense, which was refuted by the prosecution.Prosecution says Scott Nordstrom has no alibi November 27, 1997 The Daily Courier On December 3, 1997, Nordstrom was found guilty of all six counts of first-degree murder, which made Nordstrom the first criminal in Pima County within the past 25 years to be convicted of six or more homicides.Nordstrom found guilty https://tucson.com/article_fd4c61f0-236c-11e6-b43a-5fff970e880e.html December 3, 1997 Arizona Daily Star On May 19, 1998, Judge Pro Tem Michael Cruikshank of the Pima County Superior Court sentenced 30-year-old Scott Nordstrom to six death sentences for all the Tucson killings, citing that the murders were "barbarous, arrogant and ruthless in the extreme."Nordstrom gets 6 death sentences, sits stone-faced https://tucson.com/nordstrom-gets-6-death-sentences-sits-stone-faced/article_377539d8-236d-11e6-8baf-effd7c68adff.html May 19, 1998 Arizona Daily StarNordstrom gets death for murders May 19, 1998 The Daily Courier Robert Jones Jr. 150px|thumb|right|Robert Glen Jones Jr. Robert Jones Jr. was the second of the killers to claim trial for his role in the murders, and his trial began on June 17, 1998. On June 26, 1998, Jones was found guilty of all six counts of first-degree murder in relation to the Tucson slayings.Jones guilty in 6 killings June 27, 1998 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/article_ca9b9ba8-236d-11e6-b522-9b3257174745.html Jones was additionally convicted of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and burglary.Arizona to execute man convicted of killing six people in 1996 October 23, 2013 Reuters https://jp.reuters.com/article/arizona-to-execute-man-convicted-of-killing-six-people-in-1996-idUSBRE99M0CA/ On December 7, 1998, Jones was sentenced to death for all six counts of first-degree murder he faced for the Tucson murders.Jones gets death in murder of six December 8, 1998 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/article_4960832c-236e-11e6-95bb-7b70847e71a6.html Apart from his six death sentences for the Tucson murders, Jones was tried in a second trial for the murder of Richard Roels. Jones pleaded guilty to this killing and hence sentenced to imprisonment for life without parole. Similarly, Stephen Coats was also convicted of the murder of Roels, and sentenced to life imprisonment.Man put to death for killing six in 1996 armed robbery spree October 23, 2013 UPI https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/10/23/Man-put-to-death-for-killing-six-in-1996-armed-robbery-spree/22791382555182/ Execution of Robert Jones Appeals After the sentencing of Robert Jones to death row, an automatic appeal was filed to the Arizona Supreme Court against Jones's death sentences, but the appeal was dismissed on June 15, 2000. On August 16, 2012, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Jones's appeal.Jones v. Ryan [2012], 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (United States). Execution About 15 years after he was sentenced to death, Jones received his death warrant in September 2013, and his execution was set to be carried out on October 23, 2013.Execution scheduled for Moon Smoke Shop killer https://tucson.com/news/blogs/courthouse/article_af134039-4073-5385-8a77-59ee0d8b22b9.html September 24, 2013 Arizona Daily Star A last-minute appeal was lodged by Jones's lawyers, who all argued that the original prosecutor withheld evidence during Jones's trial and sought to stave off his execution. However, the appeal was rejected by the courts, including the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on October 21, 2013.9th Circuit won't rehear case of death-row inmate in Tucson murders October 22, 2013 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/article_5df0569c-3a86-11e3-8677-0019bb2963f4.html On October 23, 2013, 43-year-old Robert Glen Jones Jr. was put to death by lethal injection at the Florence State Prison. His final words were, "Love and respect my friends and family, and hope my friends are never here."Jones executed for Tucson killing spree October 23, 2013 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/jones-executed-for-tucson-killing-spree/article_72091ee2-3c03-11e3-800d-0019bb2963f4.html Before his execution, Jones turned down the offer of a special last meal, stating that it was just another meal to him and found it nothing special on the date of his execution. However, he accepted the meal set on the prison menu of that day itself, which consisted of beef patties, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, two slices of wheat bread, glazed cake and a powdered-juice drink.Robert Jones executed for six murders October 23, 2013 Arizona Daily Star https://tucson.com/news/local/robert-jones-executed-for-six-murders/article_f80ecfe9-a033-514a-bd24-2612e93c18cb.htmlArizona inmates executed since 1992 / Robert Jones July 26, 2016 The Arizona Republic https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2014/07/23/arizona-inmates-executed-since-2000/13057663/ Current status of Scott Nordstrom Initial appeals and re-sentencing On June 21, 2001, the Arizona Supreme Court rejected Scott Nordstrom's appeal against the death sentence.State v. Nordstrom [2001], Arizona Supreme Court (United States). In 2002, a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court decreed that all death sentences should be issued by the juries and not judges. Due to this, the death sentences of Nordstrom were all vacated in favor of a re-sentencing trial.New Chief Criminal Deputy Faces Slew of Re-Sentencings https://www.kold.com/story/1611491/new-chief-criminal-deputy-faces-slew-of-re-sentencings/ January 22, 2004 KOLDNordstrom Re-Sentencing Could Have to Wait https://www.kold.com/story/3451555/nordstrom-re-sentencing-could-have-to-wait/ June 9, 2005 KOLDRuling could give murderer a new judge for resentencing https://tucson.com/news/state-and-regional/article_727f6702-7ff9-5f61-b4b4-99c222099aa0.html April 21, 2007 Arizona Daily Star On August 22, 2009, a jury was selected to preside Nordstrom's re-sentencing trial.Jury to determine if Nordstrom gets death penalty https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/article_28d7241a-f85d-5f41-b248-4830c4919af9.html August 22, 2009 Arizona Daily Star On August 27, 2009, the jury returned with their verdict, sentencing Nordstrom to death twice for the murders of Thomas Hard and Carol Noel.Tucson man sentenced to death — again — in killing of 2 https://tucson.com/news/article_d012e4f0-1dd5-5d98-8bd5-852bb602e5c9.html August 27, 2009 Arizona Daily StarKiller of 2 is again sentenced to death https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/article_4ede01ec-d016-57ca-a28b-c2061e01e146.html August 28, 2009 Arizona Daily Star On September 28, 2009, Nordstrom was sentenced to death via lethal injection by Pima County Judge Richard Nichols for the first-degree murders of Carol Noel and Thomas Hardman. For the other four Tucson killings, Nordstrom was also given four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.Convicted killer Nordstrom sentenced to death https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/article_55fe1a52-a801-5f73-acd8-8f055d30423b.html September 29, 2009 Arizona Daily StarKiller in Tucson cases sent to Arizona's Death Row - again https://tucson.com/news/article_23a262d4-17c9-5407-85c3-b292b45d11ec.html September 28, 2009 Arizona Daily StarMan sentenced to die for 1996 murders gets additional prison term https://www.kold.com/story/11213654/man-sentenced-to-die-for-1996-murders-gets-additional-prison-term/ September 29, 2009 KOLD Subsequent appeals On July 26, 2012, the Arizona Supreme Court dismissed Nordstrom's appeal against his second death sentence.Death penalty upheld against Scott Nordstrom https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/article_ef09736c-d753-11e1-905d-001a4bcf887a.html July 26, 2012 Arizona Daily StarState justices OK death penalties in 1996 Tucson robbery killings https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/article_d2b0897b-ebc2-5bde-8141-1abd0142708f.html July 27, 2012 Arizona Daily Star On January 22, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Nordstrom's appeal.US justices leave killer on death row https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/article_895b7af5-6061-5fd0-97ac-6cd3cb4f02a3.html January 23, 2013 Arizona Daily StarConvicted Tucson killer Nordstrom to stay on death row https://tucson.com/news/local/crime/article_6fec9930-64d7-11e2-85c2-0019bb2963f4.html January 22, 2013 Arizona Daily Star Aside from his regular appeals, Nordstrom filed a lawsuit, and alleged that a jail officer read his letter without permission in May 2011, and hence argued that this violated his constitutional rights. Although a lower federal court rejected the motion, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals later allowed Nordstrom's appeal in 2014 and stated that the Constitution did not allow prison officers to read outgoing letters between inmates and their lawyers.Court brings back death-row inmate's lawsuit over letter https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2014/08/12/court-brings-back-death-row-inmates-lawsuit-letter/13938835/ August 11, 2014 The Arizona Republic Three years later, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Nordstrom in the lawsuit, stating that the Arizona Department of Corrections had violated the rights of Nordstrom by reading his letters, which breached his right to privacy and confidentiality when conveying sensitive and private information in his letters to his lawyers.Arizona prison officials cannot read inmates' legal mail: appeals court https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us/arizona-prison-officials-cannot-read-inmates-legal-mail-appeals-court-idUSKCN18E2EM/ May 19, 2017 Reuters Also, Nordstrom was part of a separate lawsuit filed against the Arizona Department of Corrections, alleging that the mandated solitary confinement of death row inmates violated the constitutional rights of the inmates, including the right to due process and the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. A settlement was reached between Nordstrom and the prison department in March 2017, and the prison department also adjusted its measures, allowing death row inmates to no longer having to stay in solitary confinement and allowed to interact with the general prison population and take part in longer hours of recreational activities outside their respective prison cells.Dozens of Arizona death-row inmates no longer in solitary https://apnews.com/general-news-03e020a4db0245f7a8de8f6629ce56d7 December 24, 2017 Associated Press On December 20, 2023, Nordstrom's appeal against his death sentence was rejected by U.S. Senior District Judge Raner Collins.Nordstrom v. Thornell [2023], United States District Court for the District of Arizona (United States). As of 2025, Nordstrom remains on death row at the Florence State Prison. Notes See also Capital punishment in Arizona List of death row inmates in the United States Arizona List of people executed in Arizona List of people executed in the United States in 2013 References ! colspan="3" | Executions carried out in Arizona Edward Harold Schad Jr. October 9, 2013 Robert Glen Jones Jr. October 23, 2013 Joseph Rudolph Wood III July 23, 2014 |- ! colspan="3" | Executions carried out in the United States William Frederick Happ – Florida October 15, 2013 Robert Glen Jones Jr. – Arizona October 23, 2013 Darius Mark Kimbrough – Florida November 12, 2013 Category:1996 in Arizona Category:Capital murder cases Category:1996 murders in the United States Category:Murder in Arizona Category:People murdered in Arizona Category:Deaths by person in Arizona Category:Deaths by firearm in Arizona Category:Gun violence in the United States Category:1990s mass murders in the United States Category:Female murder victims Category:Violence against women in Arizona Category:May 1996 crimes in the United States Category:June 1996 crimes in the United States