Life sentence given to man who murdered MCSO deputy
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Juan “Johnny” Ruiz died in 2021 after he was attacked by the defendant.
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — The man who pleaded guilty to murdering Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Juan “Johnny” Ruiz has been issued a life sentence in prison.
Clinton Hurley, 34, was recently sentenced after pleading guilty to several felony offenses committed in October 2021 as the defendant escaped custody from the MCSO substation in Avondale.
Hurley had been detained on multiple warrants and as Deputy Ruiz was transporting Hurley to a jail cell, the defendant attacked Ruiz with a pair of medical shears, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Hurley then stole a car to evade authorities and was later apprehended in Tonopah. Ruiz later died from his injuries at a hospital.
The defendant pleaded guilty to 16 charges including first-degree murder.
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