In the early morning of January 14, 2009, authorities were alerted via a distressed call from a residence in the suburbs. Marissa Devault urgently sought assistance before the call abruptly ended. In a subsequent call, she inquired about the arrival of help and then reported being strangled by someone.
This marked the initial occasion where the mother of three, residing in Phoenix, Arizona, shared details of the terrifying incident at her home. However, her recount of events varied on multiple occasions. Upon responders’ arrival, Devault was in a state of distress with blood on her head, while her husband, Dale Harrell, was found naked on the bedroom floor, sustaining a severe head injury. Despite the dire situation, paramedics managed to transport him to the hospital.
Devault claimed to the authorities that Dale had assaulted her in her sleep and that a tenant, Stanley Cook Jr., intervened by striking Dale with a hammer. Stanley initially confirmed this account but later cited memory loss due to a past brain injury and could not recall the events.
Nevertheless, evidence at the crime scene contradicted their claims. Bloodstains indicated that Dale was alone in bed during the attack, and Devault showed minimal signs of struggle. Subsequently, Devault altered her narrative during a subsequent interview, admitting to using the hammer on Dale before Stanley took it away.
Alleging self-defense due to her husband’s alleged assault, Devault’s motive was revealed. Dale succumbed to his injuries a month after the assault. The case gained attention when a YouTuber covered it on the “Coffeehouse Crime channel,” shedding light on the couple’s background and their tumultuous relationship.
Devault, charged with first-degree premeditated murder, faced the prosecution’s push for the death penalty. A key witness, Allen Flores, disclosed a secret affair with Devault, who borrowed a significant sum from him without Dale’s knowledge. Allegations emerged that Devault intended to have her husband killed for financial gain.
Despite the defense’s efforts to challenge Allen’s credibility, Devault was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of beating Dale to death with a hammer. While she avoided the death penalty, Devault expressed remorse during sentencing for the pain inflicted on Dale’s family.