"Wild West" desert rat, no prior criminal record, shoots and kills man in cold blood

[brentspeak]

http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=1134887

No motive known in radar van shooting
by Jim Cross/KTAR and KTAR Newsroom (April 21st, 2009 @ 6:08am)

PHOENIX -- Bond of $2 million has been set for a man accused of shooting the operator of a photo radar van along a north Phoenix freeway.

Thomas Destories, 68, made his initial court appearance just before 11 p.m. Monday, about 27 hours after he is accused of killing Doug Georgianni, 51, as Georgianni reviewed data tape in his van, parked along the Loop 101 near Seventh Avenue.

Streaming video from the van showed a Chevy Suburban driving away from the shooting and led police to Destories' home, where he was arrested Monday morning. He faces a first-degree murder charge.

Police do not know the motive for the shooting, although the photo radar program has been the center of controversy since it began last year. Police said Destories had not received any photo radar tickets.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/04/photo_radar_killer_busted_near.php

Internet records show that name and address match up with Paydirt, the former president of Arrowhead Desert Tours. According to state records, Destories (also on record as De Stories) owned several businesses, including Arizona Old West Tours, Arrowhead Jeep Tours and Cactus Welding and Construction.

The state Supreme Court's public access site shows only one infraction for Destories -- he was stopped by Phoenix police in 2007 and cited for driving with a suspended plate and no insurance. The charges were dismissed.