William Owen Hines became the first suspect in the Preston Lord case to take a plea agreement, following a court hearing Tuesday.
Hines was arrested along with six others in connection with Lord's death in March 2024.
Lord was beaten by a group of teens at a Halloween party in Queen Creek in October 2023 and died at a hospital several days later.
In court Tuesday, Hines pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a charge related to the Lord case. The kidnapping charge he originally faced was also dismissed according to the plea. He changed his plea in connection to multiple other charges that span other cases.
One of those cases also involved a vehicle. The family of the victim and the victim himself, also in court. They did not wish to speak as they left.
See previous ABC15 coverage related to Hines and the Preston Lord case in the player above.
BREAKING: William Owen Hines is changing his plea in his four cases here in Maricopa County Superior Court, INCLUDING Preston Lord's murder case. We are waiting to hear the terms. @abc15 https://t.co/cpzdOvbWhf
— Ashley Holden (@ashleyvholden) March 4, 2025
"I would like to start off with a personal and direct apology to the family of Preston Lord," said Hines in court.
"These events have horrified me since the moment I saw the news," said Hines. "And during the holiday season, I couldn't help but feel for the family, especially his mother. The thought of how my mom would feel terrifies me, and that is why I will do absolutely anything to make sure I can prevent this from happening again. For nearly three years, especially 2023 I was clouded mentally by drugs, alcohol and hallucinogens, so bad to the point where I was diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis."
Preston Lord’s parents, Nick Lord and Autumn Curiel, and their attorneys were in the courtroom as they heard Hines say “guilty.”
"Each time we are here, the wound is reopened, retraumatizing us, reminding us of the devastating loss of our kind and beautiful boy," said Preston's mom, Autumn Curiel.
"Accountability is crucial," said Curiel. "This defendant must answer for his actions, and we believe the plea agreement is appropriate in this case."
WATCH: Preston Lord's parents sit down with ABC15 for their first formal interview:
Hines' sentencing was not Tuesday, but according to the agreement discussed in court, Hines will not serve over 21 years in prison. Manslaughter carries a presumptive term of 10.5 years in prison. ABC15 is working to get a copy of the plea agreement.
The Lord family's attorney, Bryn DeFusco, says in the agreement it’s not written whether Hines will be required to cooperate with prosecutors. Other attorneys, outside the case, tell us that information is often considered private.
DeFusco sent ABC15 a statement that read, "This is a step in the right direction holding this particular defendant accountable for is role in causing Preston Lord's death."
Lord was beaten by a group of teens at a Halloween party in Queen Creek in October 2023 and died at a hospital several days later.
MCAO said they would not comment on the possibility of other plea agreements for the suspects in Preston's case.
Sentencing for Hines is set for May 2.
ABC15 went in-depth on the death of Preston Lord in an episode of Arizona Crime Uncovered. Watch that episode in the player below:
