IAN MACDONALD’S SECOND DEGREE MURDER CASE SET TO TRIAL IN ARIZONA

Ian MacDonald is getting closer to his day in court. The case, which has been ongoing for over a year now has a trial date set for April 9, 2014.
He is currently charged with second degree murder for allegedly stabbing a bouncer at the Scottsdale nightclub Martini Ranch. During the incident, he is accused of stabbing the victim five times in the back.
Unfortunately for Mr. MacDonald, according to the police investigating the case, his attempts to hide a knife in a dumpster were unsuccessful. Police say that he put the weapon in a plastic bag, filled it with bleach and then threw it away.

In another development, police say that the defendant was arrested just a few weeks before the stabbing death occurred. In recently released audiotapes, MacDonald is heard admitting to pushing a police officer who was working for the light rail.

Second degree murder in Arizona is a Class 1 felony. It is different from first degree murder, in that the government need not prove that the defendant planned to kill the victim. Instead, the State must prove that the defendant intentionally killed the victim, or engaged in reckless behavior that caused the death of another person.

The range of penalties for second degree murder is 10 to 25 years, with 16 years as the presumptive (or typical) term. In this case, factors that could increase a penalty for Mr. MacDonald could include the number of stab wounds and his alleged attempt to hide the weapon. However, he also had served in the armed forces and may not have any other criminal convictions.

As a result, we will wait to see how the case progresses.

Attorney Nick Alcock