In the fall of 1996, a dispute over a car transaction in Phoenix, Arizona, escalated into a tragic double murder, claiming the lives of 29-year-old Sandra Imperial and her husband, Hector Imperial, Sr., age 28. The events unfolded over two days, beginning with a heated argument and culminating in the violent deaths of the couple in their own home.
The conflict began when a man named Tonatihu Aguilar, also known as 'Dopey,' went to the Imperial's residence with a friend, demanding money
for a car he had sold them. During this confrontation, threats were made against the Imperials if the money was not paid by that evening. A frightened Sandra Imperial later called her brother-in-law, Ruben Imperial, in a state of panic, describing the threats and her fear.
The following day, Aguilar returned to the Imperial's home and the situation turned deadly. He first killed Hector Imperial, Sr. A short time later, he returned and murdered Sandra Imperial. Their young son, Hector Jr., who was five years old at the time, witnessed his mother's death. He later testified that 'Dopey' entered the bedroom where he and his mother were, told her to 'shut up,' and then shot her.
In September of 1997, Tonatihu Aguilar was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Sandra and Hector Imperial, Sr., as well as a count of endangerment. Following a trial, a jury found Aguilar guilty of the first-degree murder of Sandra Imperial and the second-degree murder of Hector Imperial, Sr., on March 8, 2001. The court also found the murder of Sandra Imperial to be especially heinous, cruel, or depraved. The state sought the death penalty in the case.
