David Wright sentenced
A man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend was sentenced to life in prison on Monday afternoon after previously skipping out on his sentencing.
David Eugene Wright, 51, who was convicted on counts of first- and second-degree murder for the shooting death of 34-year-old Mariah Samuels, was ordered to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Family members of Samuels, some of whom flew in from out of town, came to Friday’s hearing. But after Wright refused to attend his own sentencing, they told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the system failed them again.
The judge had the ability to force Wright to come to court, but decided against it.
On Monday, Samuels’ sister, Simone Hunter, said, “I would like to get up here and tell you how beautiful my sister was. I would like to tell you how uplifting and such a rare soul she truly was.”
Judge Mark Kappelhoff addressed Wright directly as he handed down the sentence.
“You committed a premeditated, senseless, and brutal murder of Mariah Samuels,” he said. “Planned her murder, you lay in wait for her, and you shot her to death while she sat helpless in a car. All because she was a strong and confident woman who decided to end her relationship with you three weeks earlier.”
“She was my baby, our baby. It hurts we could not protect her,” declared Demi Callender, Samuels’ cousin. “Our baby was being gunned down by a coward who hadn’t even been in her life for one year.”
After the sentencing, the family gathered in a prayer circle in the courthouse atrium.
“We are a family that will continue to come together,” Callender told reporters. “We’ll never let Mariah Samuels’ name die. From now to eternity, her name will rise.”
Frustration for Samuels’ family dates back to August of last year. Court documents show that Samuels filed an order of protection against Wright, just three weeks before he killed her.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, several resources are available to offer help. For immediate help, contact:
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
- Minnesota Day One at 866-223-1111.
- The Women’s Advocates crisis line at 651-227-8284.
More than 12 million people just in the U.S. are affected by domestic violence every year, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The organizations listed above can help connect victims to resources like safe shelter, advocacy, legal help, and support groups.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers tips for identifying abuse and supporting victims of abuse. CLICK HERE to see those.
Other organizations that can help include:
- Violence Free Minnesota at 651-646-6177 or 800-289-6177.
- STANDPOINT(formerly the Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project) at 612-343-9842.
- Mending the Sacred Hoop at 888-305-1650.
- Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault at 612-209-9993.
Minnesota also has a list of many other resources for victims of crimes that can be found HERE.
