An Arizona Department of Corrections prisoner already serving two life terms for murder escaped a possible death sentence Thursday by pleading guilty in the June 2007 death of a fellow inmate.
David Scott Hunt, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in Pima County Superior Court. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Hunt will be sentenced to life in prison with parole possible after 25 years, to be served concurrently with the life sentences he is already serving.
Hunt admitted he conspired with other inmates to kill Clayton Iron Necklace, 53, agreeing to act as a lookout.
Someone used boot laces to asphyxiate Iron Necklace, who was at the Wilmot Road facility for a Maricopa County aggravated assault conviction.
Rick Unklesbay, chief trial counsel for the Pima County Attorney's Office, said Iron Necklace's death was initially ruled a suicide.
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Hunt was sentenced to consecutive life terms for the rape and murder of a pizza delivery woman, and the robbery and murder of a cabdriver in the Phoenix area in April 1992 — two months before he turned 15.
Convicted burglar Raymond Hayes, 32, is awaiting trial in Iron Necklace's death. If convicted, the former Maricopa County resident could receive the death penalty.
Judge Christopher Browning is waiting to sentence Hunt until June 22 because Iron Necklace's wife has expressed a desire to write a letter about Hunt's actions and their impact on her life.
