Repeat Offender in Arizona Sentenced to Life Plus 10 Years for Fatal Shooting Just 16 Days After Prison Release
Arizona murderer Clifton Nez Hamalowa receives life sentence for killing Richard Olds, with siblings implicated in cover-up and witness intimidation.
An Arizona man convicted of a brutal murder was handed down a sentence of life plus 10 years in prison on May 27, following a shocking crime spree that began just over two weeks after his release from incarceration in 2020. The sentencing underscores the severity of the offenses committed by 47-year-old Clifton Nez Hamalowa, whose actions left a community reeling and prompted calls for greater security and oversight.
Prosecutors detailed how Hamalowa, recently freed at the time, shot Richard Olds in the head multiple times, killing him in the presence of his young child. The crime took place on the grounds of the Gila River Indian Community, deepening the sense of tragedy among residents. According to authorities, Hamalowa, with the assistance of his siblings, attempted to cover up the killing by disposing of Olds’ car and abandoning the victim’s body in a remote region of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian reservation.
The investigation further revealed that both Hamalowa and his sister engaged in intimidation tactics to prevent witnesses from coming forward, raising concerns about the safety of those willing to testify in violent crime cases. The court found Hamalowa guilty on a host of charges, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Hamalowa’s violent history played a prominent role in sentencing. Court records highlighted a pattern of severe offenses, including a 1991 stabbing of his own mother, a fatal stabbing in 1999, and another stabbing incident involving a fellow inmate while serving time for earlier crimes. These details established Hamalowa as a career offender whose repeated acts of violence escalated over decades.
The ramifications of Hamalowa’s crimes extended to his family. His brother, Thomas Leon Hamalowa, pleaded guilty to accessory-after-the-fact to murder and received a 108-month prison sentence in October 2023. His sister, Devonne Beth Hamalowa, was sentenced to 84 months in April 2024 on comparable charges. Authorities say the siblings played crucial roles in the attempt to obfuscate the murder and hinder the investigation.
The life sentence, combined with the additional 10 years, reflects the extraordinarily grave nature of Hamalowa's actions and the continued efforts by law enforcement to address violent crime and ensure justice for victims and their families.
