PHOENIX — A man from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has been sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years for a 2020 murder.
Clifton Nez Hamalowa, 47, killed his victim on August 29, 2020, on Gila River Indian Community land. Authorities say he became angry with the victim the night before and shot them multiple times in the head in front of the victim’s young child.
He then moved the body to a remote area of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation. His brother and sister helped cover up the crime.
Thomas Leon Hamalowa, his brother, got rid of the victim’s car in Parker and was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to being an accessory to murder.
Authorities say Hamalowa and his sister, Devonne Beth Hamalowa, spent two weeks intimidating witnesses. Devonne also forced the victim’s daughter to clean blood from the crime scene, even though the child was still living in the home. A witness eventually called police to rescue the child.
Devonne pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
After a seven-day trial, Clifton Hamalowa was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit assault, multiple assault charges, and using a firearm in a violent crime.
