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January 16, 2020
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Death sentence for ‘worst of the worst’ BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Managing Editor
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A Peoria man who plotted his wife’s murder for two years before killing her was sentenced to death last week. A jury gave Edward Littleton McCauley the death sentence Thursday, Jan. 9, for fatally shooting his estranged wife in front of her Glendale home in 2014. McCauley, 63, was convicted of first-degree murder Nov. 5. “This murder was a heinous and callous act,” said Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel. “In the state of Arizona, a sentence of death is reserved for the worst of the worst. The calculated actions taken
by this defendant to murder his estranged wife justify this outcome.” Court records show McCauley’s attorneys unsuccessfully argued first for a mistrial, stating he had a “mental disorder” and did not deserve death. On the night of Nov. 24, 2014, McCauley waited for hours outside his estranged wife’s home. She was working the night shift. Around midnight, Glendale Police received calls of gunshots at 5726 W. Cortez Street, near Cactus and North 59th avenues, according to a police report. When officers arrived, they found Dawn McCauley, 45, slumped over in her vehicle SEE SENTENCE PAGE 2
Edward Littleton McCauley, 63 of Peoria, was sentenced to death for killing his estranged wife in 2014. (Photo courtesy Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
Fire and police chiefs stress collaboration BY ERIC NEWMAN
Peoria Times Staff Writer
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Liberty High looking to pin another wrestling title
OPINION...................9 BUSINESS...............10 SPORTS...................12 CALENDAR.............14 FEATURES...............16 RELIGION................19 YOUTH....................21 CLASSIFIEDS...........23
The Peoria Chamber of Commerce hosted Peoria Chief of Police Art Miller and Fire Chief Bobby Ruiz at a networking breakfast at the Montecito Senior Living Jan. 7. Each spoke about the departments’ relationships with each other and the community. Miller told the group of business owners and interested citizens gathered for breakfast the fire and police departments have a better relationship at this time than they have in years prior. Among the police departments’ new challenges is tackling mental health issues.
Peoria Fire Chief Bobby Ruiz said the city’s fire and police departments work well together. (Peoria Times photo by Eric Newman)
He said the department is working to find the best methods of handling the emotional stress the job creates for employees. Another major focus of the department, Miller added, is the homeless population in Peoria. As of the meeting, there are about 45 documented homeless in the area, about double the number of a few years ago. Miller told of a man who was asking for money to provide his son insulin for seven or eight years. Police are not certain the man’s son exists. He also recalled the department passing a homeless man who had thrown away full bags of takeout food people gave him. He only wanted money. SEE CHIEFS PAGE 2
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