KINGMAN – One Golden Valley man candidly admitted killing another during a Monday change of plea hearing in Kingman. The mandatory prison plea deal convicts Adam Pearl, 25, of second-degree murder for the Sept. 1 stabbing death of Brandin McAlister, 32.
Deputy Mohave County Attorney Jeff Haws said a dispute over a generator escalated into a fistfight at a residential property in the area of Wingate Dr. and Halite Rd. in Golden Valley. He said McAlister’s lung was punctured when he was stabbed in the side or his back by the defendant.
Haws said Pearl took cell phones from other victims to prevent them from reporting the incident as he and his girlfriend Chyane Teeples, 22, Kingman, fled the homicide scene on the victim’s motorcycle. Arriving public safety personnel were not able to save McAlister’s life.
The couple was arrested the next day in Kingman. Teeples was charged with vehicle theft.
Pearl said he disputed some of the details contained in the factual basis provided by the prosecutor. But when pinned down by Judge Billy Sipe, Pearl unequivocally agreed he stabbed the victim, intending to kill him.
Terms of the plea agreement require imposition of a 25-year prison term. Sentencing is scheduled Jan. 7.
Dave Hawkins
