April Hettinger from CBS 13 talks to the father about the arguments of the suspects
YUMA, Arizona (KYMA, KECY) – A father speaks about his son’s murder on the same day that prime suspects pleaded not guilty to his murder.
The remains of Derek Runnion were discovered on April 1st. Runnion went missing in March.
Suspects Jonissa Jones and Erick Chavez are charged with first degree murder. On Monday she pleaded not guilty.
After the hearing, Derek’s father Michael Runnion spoke to April Hettinger of CBS 13 about the case. It’s the first time he’s spoken to the media since Jones and Chavez were arrested. He hopes they will get the toughest sentence, he says.
“I hope and pray that if found guilty, they will be held fully accountable in a first degree murder, and I don’t know if Arizona will allow the death penalty,” said Runnion. “I’m not sick, but I think that should be the result.”
Suspects Jonissa Jones and Erick Chavez face the death penalty if convicted. The death penalty remains legal in the state of Arizona.
Runnion still has many questions about his son’s death, including Derek’s relationship with the suspects.
“We’re not sure if this is the actual person he met at Walmart that day,” said Runnion. “That hasn’t really been addressed yet. I’m speculating about it, but I can’t be 100% sure, so they haven’t told us yet.”
Michael says he had an eerie feeling sitting in the same courtroom on Monday with the two people accused of stealing his son’s life. He also shared the secret circumstances in which his family honored Derek’s short life. The sensitive nature of the case prevented family and friends from doing anything publicly.
“We had a little party at the lake. We painted some stones, wrote a reminder for Derek and actually threw the stones into the lake, ”explained Runnion.
Michael says Derek leaves many happy memories.
“His zest for life, his spirit,” said Runnion. “The biggest thing is just his mind, but it’s hard to get used to not having him around.”
Still, he’s happy with the way the police handled the case. He says it is now up to justice to run its course.
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