A man who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison this week.
Pima County Superior Court Judge Javier Chon-Lopez sentenced Reed J. Marrone, 20, this week after the defendant pleaded guilty in April to killing Jordan Peterson.
Peterson, 21, disappeared in November 2011. His body was found in a Pinal County desert area in January 2012.
In his plea agreement, Marrone admitted the killing was premeditated because he wanted to avoid paying a drug-related debt he owed the victim.
Two other men also were indicted in connection with the killing. Tyler Nicholas Brown pleaded guilty to attempted abandonment/concealment of a dead body and awaits sentencing.
Bryan Lamar Lee, 22, also faces murder charges in the case and is awaiting trial.
Patrick McNamara
