Paladin06

I live in a very small town outside Phoenix in the east valleyhere in AZ. I've lived in AZ twice before and when I returned this time the wife, daugther and I selected Queeen Creek a small bedroom community of 20,000 because I wanted a quiet and safe place to build or retirement home and to live when I retire (55 years old) in 3 1/2 years. Several days ago something took place that has me think perhaps I have one more move to make. I've seen more then my share of cruelty in my life time but this is senseless killing. Please read the story below.

'Girl fought for her life'
2 boys, 16, held in brutal killing of teen
Kristi Eaton and Becky Bartkowski
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 28, 2007 07:50 AM

While Pinal County officials in Florence were announcing arrests in a gruesome murder, Teresa Galinberti was laying flowers at the Queen Creek-area home of Amber LeAnn Hess. She said she was friends with both the teenage victim and the suspects.

Nicolas Castillo and Todd Hoke, both 16, were arrested in the killing of Hess, whose burned body was found Monday in the desert near Florence, Pinal County Sheriff's officials said.

Authorities talked to Castillo and Hoke late Tuesday and early Wednesday and said they believe the teens took part in the killing of Hess, 17. Hess' body has been positively identified using dental records, authorities said.

At a tearful press conference Wednesday morning in Florence, parents Michael and Candy Hess thanked the community for helping deputies identify the suspects.

Candy Hess said Hoke was one of her daughter's best friends, who spent hours in their home playing video games and watching movies. He would call constantly, she said.

"He was like a brother to her, which makes this even more confusing to us," Candy Hess said.

Galinberti, who was placing flowers at the Hess home Wednesday morning, said Hoke and Castillo were "nice guys."

"We'd just hang out together," said Galinberti, describing her friendship with the two boys and Hess.

She said they would go swimming or have water balloon fights.

Galinberti said she had talked with both Hoke and Castillo and they were crying, telling her they didn't do it.

"I can't believe it," Galinberti said. "It just doesn't make sense. In my head, they just didn't do it."

Candy Hess said her daughter had a falling out with Hoke, who had called the girl a disrespectful name. The mother emphasized the boy wasn't her daughter's boyfriend.

Both boys were students at Coolidge High School, where Amber had recently graduated. They live within blocks of her home.

"Basically they just didn't like her and for whatever reason were planning to kill her," Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez said. "They went to her home and through a combination of beating, stabbing and choking, killed her."

The teens were booked in connection with first-degree murder charges, with other charges are likely, Vasquez said. The teens likely will be charged as adults.

The teens were to have a juvenile hearing Wednesday afternoon.

Hess' parents had been away on a trip over the weekend, and when they returned Sunday they found blood and signs of a struggle in their home.

Amber's 2002 Mitsubishi was found Tuesday just down the street from one of the suspect's homes, Vasquez said.

The assault is believed to have happened late Friday or early Saturday. Detectives aren't sure if Hess let the two boys into her home or if they forced their way inside.

"From what I'm told this girl fought for her life in that home, and she didn't die easy. It was very brutal," Vasquez said in an interview from Salt Lake City, where he is attending a law enforcement convention. "If they had been adults, I would be screaming for the death penalty in this case."

Detectives got several anonymous tips that led them to the suspects. One tipster told of the teens coming to borrow supplies to use in cleaning up after the