An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison for second degree murder in a domestic violence case.

U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes sentenced Roderrell Boyd Charley, 33, of Chinle, Ariz. to 222 months of imprisonment on Oct. 13. Charley previously pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder.

Charley’s mother called police, when she found the victim lying on the road.

According to the FBI statement, Charley beat the victim to death with his fists and feet between Oct. 7 and Oct. 8, 2019. Family members heard him screaming and arguing with the victim on the night of Oct. 7. The next morning, Charley told his sister that the victim was no longer breathing and left the scene.

The victim was pronounced dead on arrival at the emergency room.

The cause of death was determined to be blunt trauma. The victim also suffered serious internal injuries, and multiple fractures. Extensive bruising was also found on her face and body.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer E. LaGrange and Sharon K. Sexton, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

Staff Reports