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Plea deal offered to teen in Preston Lord murder case as defense disputes his role in fatal attack
Last Updated 05/30/2025
Photo Taken By Pool Feed. Description: Jacob Meisner appears in court on March 13, 2024.
Attorney Andrew Marcantel of The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm continues to advocate on behalf of client Jacob Meisner, who now faces life in prison if convicted in the high-profile Preston Lord case. On Friday, during a tense settlement conference attended by the Lord family, prosecutors offered Meisner—now 18—a plea deal that would reduce his charges from first-degree murder to manslaughter and aggravated robbery. The deal carries a potential sentence of 7 to 21 years in prison.
The defense declined the offer, requesting a full review of the case evidence with prosecutors before proceeding. That meeting was agreed to, and the settlement conference will resume on June 20.
Marcantel maintains that the evidence does not justify holding Meisner responsible for Lord’s death.
“By our count, there are 21 total people who claim to have been eyewitnesses to the actual assault on Preston Lord, 17 of which do not identify Mr. Meisner as one of Preston Lord’s attackers,” Marcantel told reporters.
He further noted that William Owen Hines, the first defendant to take a plea deal and name those involved, did not include Meisner in his account.
The state, however, argues that this is a felony murder case. Judge Geoffrey Fish emphasized that Meisner can be convicted of murder if the prosecution proves he participated in a felony—such as kidnapping—that resulted in Lord’s death, regardless of whether Meisner physically harmed the victim. “The state doesn’t have to get up and prove that you laid a hand on Mr. Lord at all. All they have to do is prove that you participated in the kidnapping,” Judge Fish explained in court.
Marcantel continues to press for a resolution that reflects only Meisner’s alleged actions in the earlier robbery, not the fatal assault. “The amount of witnesses who are claiming that they did not see Mr. Meisner involved far outweighs the amount who claim that they did,” he added.
About The Case
Over the past two years, the East Valley of Arizona has been shaken by a wave of youth violence, culminating in the tragic death of 16-year-old Preston Lord. The case, which has captured national attention, centers on a series of group assaults allegedly connected to a loosely organized group known as the “Gilbert Goons”—a designation that has since become official under Arizona law.
Among those charged is Jacob Meisner, a client of The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm, who faces serious allegations in the ongoing investigation.
Who Are the “Gilbert Goons”?
The “Gilbert Goons” are a group of East Valley youths linked to a series of violent assaults in Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa, and surrounding communities from late 2022 through 2024. Incidents tied to the group include attacks in restaurant parking lots, residential neighborhoods, and even drive-by assaults, often involving multiple assailants and weapons such as brass knuckles.
After nearly two years of accumulating reports, video evidence, and public outcry, the Gilbert Police Department officially designated the group a criminal street gang on May 2, 2024. This allowed for enhanced sentencing options and heightened prosecutorial focus under Arizona’s gang statutes.
The Death of Preston Lord
On October 28, 2023, Preston Lord was assaulted outside a Halloween party in Queen Creek, reportedly chased down and beaten by a group of teens. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and tragically died two days later on October 30, 2023.
The incident prompted widespread public outrage and intensified scrutiny of East Valley police departments. The FBI joined the investigation in mid-November, and hundreds of tips poured in from across the community.
Charges and Arrests
After months of investigation, on March 6–7, 2024, seven suspects were charged with Lord’s murder, including:
- William Owen Hines
- Talan Renner
- Dominic Turner
- Talyn Vigil
- Taylor Sherman
- Treston Billey
- Jacob Meisner
Each suspect was charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, and kidnapping, with some facing additional charges such as aggravated robbery.
Jacob Meisner’s Legal Battle
Jacob Meisner, represented by Attorney Andrew Marcantel of The Attorneys For Freedom, was 16 at the time of the incident. Now 18, he faces the possibility of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years if convicted at trial.
The prosecution has offered a plea deal reducing the charges to manslaughter and aggravated robbery, carrying a sentence of 7 to 21 years. However, the defense has rejected this offer, arguing that the available evidence does not place Meisner among Lord’s attackers.
Defense attorneys assert that Meisner’s involvement was limited to a prior robbery during the night in question—not the fatal assault. Furthermore, co-defendant William Owen Hines, who has since accepted a plea deal and cooperated with prosecutors, reportedly did not name Meisner among the individuals who beat Preston Lord.
Despite these assertions, prosecutors maintain that Meisner can still be found guilty under Arizona’s felony murder rule, which allows for a murder conviction if a death occurs during the commission of a felony such as kidnapping—even if the defendant did not physically harm the victim.
The next settlement conference is scheduled for June 20, 2025, during which prosecutors and Meisner’s legal team will continue to review evidence and discuss potential resolutions.
Legislative Impact: “Preston’s Law”
In response to this and other group attack cases, “Preston’s Law” was signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs on May 12, 2025. The legislation increases penalties for violent group attacks, reclassifying certain assaults from a Class 6 felony to a Class 4, effectively doubling minimum prison sentences and eliminating the possibility of misdemeanor reductions.
Additional Resources
Bill to make ‘Gilbert Goons’ style attacks felonies moves forward in Arizona Senate – ArizonaMirror
Suspect in Preston Lord’s murder released from jail after posting bail – AZFamily
