In a chilling conclusion to a two-decade saga, Leroy Dean McGill was executed on May 20, 2026, at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence. At 63 years old, McGill faced lethal injection for a crime that shocked the community: setting two people ablaze in a horrific act of violence.
The story begins in the summer of 2002 in a dilapidated North Phoenix apartment complex. McGill lived there with his girlfriend, Johna Hardesty, amid rising tensions with neighbors, particularly Charles Perez and Nova Banta. After an accusation of theft involving a shotgun, McGill and Hardesty were evicted, leaving them homeless and filled with rage.
Just days later, on July 13, McGill returned to the complex with a sinister plan. He warned a neighbor to evacuate and threatened violence against his children if he spoke out. Inside, Perez and Banta were unaware of the impending danger. McGill unleashed a terrifying concoction of gasoline and Styrofoam, igniting it in a calculated act of revenge. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the apartment and forcing other residents to flee.
While Banta survived with severe burns, Perez succumbed to his injuries the following day, suffering what prosecutors described as “extreme pain.” McGill fled the scene, only to be captured in Minnesota weeks later, leading to his trial in 2003. The prosecution built a compelling case against him, bolstered by Banta’s harrowing testimony and graphic evidence of the crime.
Despite a defense that cited McGill’s troubled past and mental health issues, the jury found him guilty on multiple counts, including first-degree murder. He was sentenced to death in 2004, but the ensuing years were filled with legal battles and appeals. McGill’s team raised various arguments, including claims of ineffective counsel and misinformation during sentencing, but ultimately, his appeals were denied.
As the execution date approached, McGill declined clemency and chose not to speak publicly. On the morning of May 20, he was offered a final meal consisting of onion rings, bread and butter, a green salad, chocolate cake, and reportedly cottage pie. When given the chance to express his thoughts before the lethal injection, he simply thanked the execution team for their kindness, leaving behind no words of remorse or reflection on his actions.
Following the execution, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell expressed a sense of closure for the victims’ families, emphasizing the cruelty of McGill’s actions. For Charles Perez’s family and Nova Banta, May 20, 2026, marked the end of a long, painful chapter.
As we reflect on this tragic case, one question lingers: If the jury had known the truth about McGill’s potential life sentence, would their verdict have been different? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
