A Yavapai County jury has found 49-year-old Taj Andre Stephens of Prescott guilty of first-degree murder and multiple felonies, including robbery, burglary, drug possession, and aggravated assault.
The verdict follows a deadly shooting in November 2023. Stephens called police to report he had shot two people inside a Prescott home. Officers arrived to find a 24-year-old man fatally wounded and a 29-year-old woman injured. Police say all three had been using drugs the night before.
Tensions escalated when the male victim discovered a stolen gun and cocaine missing—and learned Stephens and the woman were responsible. During a confrontation, Stephens refused to leave and shot both victims with the stolen firearm.
The female victim survived and later pled guilty to manslaughter for her role in the theft.
County Attorney Dennis McGrane praised the jury, prosecutors, and the Prescott Police, saying, “This crime is shocking.”
Stephens is scheduled to be sentenced February 20. He faces life in prison, with or without parole after 25 years.