Derek Chappell was sentenced to death by the State of Arizona for the murder of a two year old child
According to court documents Derek Chappell was suppose to be taking care of two year old Devon Hinman Seeley. Derek would get into an argument with his girlfriend and would take Devon Hinman Seeley out to the pool and drown the child
Derek Chappell would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
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Derek Chappell is incarcerated at ASPC Florence
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Chappell began dating Kristal Shackleford in the fall of 2003. They soon were engaged to be married and Shackleford and her two-year-old son, Devon, moved in with Chappell and his parents.
On December 10, 2003, Chappell was caring for Devon while Shackleford was at work. While changing Devon’s diaper, Chappell forcefully pushed down on Devon’s shoulders and neck until his face turned red. Chappell immediately contacted Shackleford, said he had “hurt Devon,” and asked her to come home right away. A pediatrician examined Devon later that day and found bruising on his face and neck consistent with choking. A Child Protective Services (“CPS”) investigation ensued, and CPS told Chappell he was to have no further contact with Devon. Shackleford and Devon moved out of the Chappell home and into a nearby apartment complex, but Chappell and Shackleford continued dating.
On March 11, 2004, Shackleford called 911 to report that Devon was missing. Police officers found Devon floating in the swimming pool at Shackleford’s apartment complex. Devon was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was drowning. Chappell quickly became a suspect and ultimately confessed to the murder, both to the police and at a press conference he held from jail. Chappell admitted drowning Devon but claimed he was acting at Shackleford’s direction.
Chappell was indicted on charges of child abuse for the 2003 choking incident and first degree murder, and was found guilty on both counts. During the aggravation phase of the trial, the jury found three aggravating circumstances: Chappell had a previous conviction for a serious offense (child abuse), A.R.S. § 13-751(F)(2); the murder was committed in an especially cruel manner, § 13-751(F)(6); and Chappell was an adult and the victim was under fifteen years of age at the time of the murder, § 13-751(F)(9). After the penalty phase, the jury determined that Chappell should be sentenced to death.