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Charles
Michael HEDLUND
Classification: Murderer
Characteristics:
Robberies
Number of victims: 2
Date of murders: March 10/23, 1991
Date of birth:
November 22,
1964
Victims profile: Christine
Mertens, 40
/
James McClain,
65
Method of murder:
Shooting
Location: Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Status: Sentenced to death on July 30, 1993
INMATE 056613 HEDLUND
CHARLES, M
On March 10, 1991, Hedlund and his half-brother,
James Erin McKinney, brutally beat and shot 40-year-old Christine
Mertens in her home, during the commission of a burglary.
Mrs. Mertens' son found his mother dead, lying face
down on the living room floor. Hedlund and McKinney had ransacked Mrs.
Mertens' bedroom and rifled through her purse.
On March 23, 1991, Hedlund and McKinney burglarized
the home of 65-year-old James McClain and shot him in the head while he
was asleep in his bed. Hedlund and McKinney ransacked Mr. McClain's home
and stole personal property, including several guns.
Hedlund was convicted of first-degree murder for
killing Mr. McClain and was sentenced to death. He was convicted of
second-degree murder for killing Mrs. Martens, two counts of burglary in
the first degree, and one count of theft.
PROCEEDINGS
Presiding Judge: Hon. Steven D. Sheldon
Prosecutor: Louis Stalzer
Defense Counsel: Peter Leander and Thomas Phalen
Start of Trial: October 13, 1992
Verdict: November 12, 1992
Sentencing: July 30, 1993
Aggravating Circumstances
Previously convicted of serious offense
Pecuniary gain
PUBLISHED OPINIONS
Hedlund v. Sheldon, 173 Ariz. 143, 840 P.2d 1008 (1992). State v. Hedlund, 185 Ariz. 567, 917 P.2d 1214 (1996).
