Convicted murderer Robert Joe Moody, 50, was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole Monday in the deaths of two Tucson women who were killed six days apart in November 1993.
In Pima County Superior Court, Judge Clark Munger also ordered Moody to pay $420,000 in fines and surcharges to ensure that Moody doesn't financially benefit from the deaths of Michelle Malone, 33, and Patricia Magda, 56.
Moody was convicted of the murders twice. Prosecutors said they were committed for financial gain.
His original 1995 conviction was overturned when the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that the judge in the case erred by allowing Moody to represent himself. He was convicted again in 2001 and sentenced to death. But that sentence was set aside when, a year later, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that judges should not determine punishment in capital cases
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In July, the Pima County Attorney's Office announced it no longer would seek the death penalty for Moody because additional delays were expected and the victims' families wanted the case to finally be resolved.
Munger had to decide Monday if Moody should get two life sentences, either with or without the possibility of release, and whether they should be served concurrently or consecutively.
Deputy Pima County Attorney Kellie Johnson told Munger that while there were a few mitigating circumstances in the case, none rose to the level at which Moody should be shown leniency.
The prosecutor argued, in part, that Moody should never be let out of prison because of the "unimaginable terror" and agony both women must have felt before they died.
Defense attorney Brick Storts argued that Moody has multiple personalities, and he didn't understand and appreciate the consequences of what he was doing. He cited Moody's lack of a prior criminal history, his Marine service and an abusive childhood as mitigating factors as well.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
