Man sentenced to death in drowning of girlfriend's 2-year-old son

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Lindsey Collom

The Arizona Republic

A jury has sentenced a Mesa man to death in the drowning of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son at an apartment complex.

It took jurors roughly three days to return a death sentence for Derek Chappell, who was convicted in August in the first-degree murder of Devon Hinman Shackleford.

Investigators said Chappell walked the toddler to their apartment complex pool March 11, 2004, and held Devon under the water as he struggled. Chappell was then said to have walked away, leaving the boy's body behind.

"I believe the jury made the right decision in response to this gruesome murder of a defenseless child," Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas said. "Today's verdict will not bring Devon back, but it will send a message that our society is prepared to see the ultimate penalty in order to protect innocent life."

Chappell will join the more than 110 inmates on death row in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Prosecutors argued that Chappell killed the boy because Devon's mother picked the child over the defendant a day before the murder.

Chappell had been accused of choking Devon in December 2003, and state Child Protective Services had warned Devon's mother, Kristal Shackleford, to cut ties with Chappell.

But defense attorneys said the couple resumed their relationship.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1115chappell1115.html

[Sprailenes 47]

That is disgusting.

But it sounds like she was warned, I bet now she lives with regret.

[Nearly Done 8]

How very sad:( the poor child. The jury took along time in deciding on the death sentence, maybe death will be too easy for him.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

How very sad:( the poor child. The jury took along time in deciding on the death sentence, maybe death will be too easy for him.

As despicable an act it was, I'd rather see him spend the rest of his life behind bars.

[Nearly Done 8]

Yes I too would rather he spent years and years suffering behind bars.

[bgreed 0]

Better yet let him almost be drowned everyday for the rest of his life.

[Ban Hammer 13,445]

How very sad:( the poor child. The jury took along time in deciding on the death sentence, maybe death will be too easy for him.

As despicable an act it was, I'd rather see him spend the rest of his life behind bars.

kid killers are at the bottom of the social order in prisons, right along with kiddie fiddlers. he'll have lots of time to regret his actions.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

How very sad:( the poor child. The jury took along time in deciding on the death sentence, maybe death will be too easy for him.

As despicable an act it was, I'd rather see him spend the rest of his life behind bars.

kid killers are at the bottom of the social order in prisons, right along with kiddie fiddlers. he'll have lots of time to regret his actions.

I can't imagine me, personally being able to handle being in prison for a few years - a life sentence, IMO, would be hell on earth for me.

[Welshcookie 17]

Chappell had been accused of choking Devon in December 2003, and state Child Protective Services had warned Devon's mother, Kristal Shackleford, to cut ties with Chappell.

But defense attorneys said the couple resumed their relationship.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1115chappell1115.html

I'm sorry, although I am sure she is going through hell right now, but if I had my way the mother would be doing time also.

[Jasman0717 9]

That is disgusting.

Very disgusting

[Sinergy 3]

It makes me cringe and think about how innocent my 2 year old is and could never imagine how the mother feels.

[JODO 2]

sick Die already.

[MissStacey 1]

What a tragedy.

[Nessa 23]

sick #######

[ivona 0]

It makes me cringe and think about how innocent my 2 year old is and could never imagine how the mother feels.

Well, she obviously wasn't that concerned if she didn't get away from this guy when he first tried chocking the kid... I'm sorry, but if someone tried hurting my child it wouldn't take a third person to tell me to get my child the hell away from that person.

She should be held responsible as well, if she had put her child first when it first happened he might still be alive today....