Overview
- A Maricopa County judge on Friday sentenced Young to 14 years for armed robbery and nine years for attempted armed robbery, with the terms to run concurrently and credit given for 960 days already served.
- Court records and trial evidence show Mercedes Vega identified Young in a 2020 photo lineup and body-camera video of her statement was played during the robbery trial.
- Vega was found dead in April 2023 inside a burning Chevrolet Malibu near I‑10 and the medical examiner reported a gunshot wound, blunt force injuries, bleach in her throat, and death by smoke inhalation.
- Prosecutors have moved to seek the death penalty for Young and co-defendant Sencere Hayes while declining capital punishment for Jared Gray, who was extradited to Maricopa County and made an initial court appearance.
- All three defendants are scheduled for a 2027 murder trial that will determine responsibility for Vega’s killing and whether the alleged motive to stop her testimony qualifies as an aggravating factor; Vega’s family says they will continue to press for full accountability.