PHOENIX — Two Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies have been reassigned after escorting the parents of a suspect in the killing of Preston Lord to their vehicle after his court appearance last week.
After Talan Renner's initial appearance last week, ABC15 attempted to ask his parents questions as they left the courthouse. However, the Renners were moved to a secure location, and our reporter watched as a sheriff's deputy moved the family's Telsa to a secured lot around the back of the courthouse.
ABC15 reached out to MCSO last week after the deputies moved their vehicle to ask if it is standard protocol. At the time, a spokesperson for the department said deputies run security for the court, but don't run the facility.
We reached out to MCSO to ask if this is protocol, a spokesperson said deputies run security for the court, but don’t run the facility. They respond to what is asked of them. https://t.co/LhoVLFVLby
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) March 8, 2024
Tuesday evening, MCSO followed up with ABC15, noting, "After a thorough review, we learned MCSO personnel conducted an unauthorized family escort" at the request of the family's attorney.
PRESTON LORD CASE: Six of seven people accused in Preston Lord murder plead not guilty in court
MCSO UPDATE: We have been reaching out to MCSO after being at juvenile court last week. There we tried to speak with the parents of one of the suspects in Preston Lord's case (Talan Renner), but we watched as a sheriff’s deputy moved the Renner’s vehicle around back to a secured… pic.twitter.com/bLgVtsCehh
— Ashley Holden (@ashleyvholden) March 13, 2024
The two deputies have been reassigned from the Juvenile Court Center as the incident is investigated.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office released the following statement about the incident to ABC15:
"After a thorough review, we learned MCSO personnel conducted an unauthorized family escort on March 7, 2024, using a route known for prior high-profile or security-sensitive escorts.
Despite their intention to prevent potential conflict or disruption at the courthouse, the two deputies failed to seek supervisory guidance or coordinate with judicial staff upon receiving the escort request from the family's legal representative. Both deputies involved have been reassigned from the Juvenile Court Center as we continue examining the incident.
In this highly publicized case, we appreciate your patience as we work to evaluate the deputies' actions and ensure all MCSO personnel adhere to policies and procedures in the future."
MCSO told ABC15 Sheriff Skinner called the Lord family and apologized for the optics. ABC15 was told he also spoke with the County Attorney.
Judge Joseph Welty, the Presiding Judge of the Judicial Branch in Maricopa County, also released a statement regarding the incident, noting, "The deputy was not acting at the direction of the Superior Court or the Court Security Office. The Court was only made aware of the action after the fact. The action was inconsistent with court security protocol and gave the appearance of preferential treatment."
According to Judge Welty's statement, Maricopa County Superior Court shared its concerns with the sheriff's office, and "trust[s] that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will address the issue appropriately and provide an explanation for the deputy’s actions."
Full statement from Hon. Joseph C. Welty, Presiding Judge of the Judicial Branch in Maricopa County:
"At the conclusion of a recent hearing in the Juvenile Department of the Superior Court in Maricopa County, a deputy with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office escorted the parents of a detained juvenile through secure corridors and into a staff parking lot.
The deputy was not acting at the direction of the Superior Court or the Court Security Office. The Court was only made aware of the action after the fact. The action was inconsistent with court security protocol and gave the appearance of preferential treatment.
We have communicated our concerns directly to Sheriff Skinner and trust that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will address the issue appropriately and provide an explanation for the deputy’s actions.
The Court takes seriously its role in providing equal justice under the law for everyone and has no tolerance for preferential treatment, or the perception of preferential treatment, for anyone."
