Bio

Anthony Marshall Spears was born on October 2, 1958. He grew up in a typical American family. He lived in a suburban area near San Diego, California. During his adolescence, he likely faced the same challenges many teenagers deal with.

As a young adult, Spears began to form relationships. He was known to have a girlfriend named Joann. They lived together in California for some time. Despite this relationship, Spears also had interactions with other women. One of these women was Jeanette Beaulieu, who came to see him as her boyfriend. This relationship would become significant later in his life.

In December 1991, Jeanette was working at her job and took a family leave. During this time, she purchased a one-way airplane ticket for Spears, who flew to Phoenix, Arizona, on January 2, 1992. Spears brought a 9mm Beretta handgun with him, a detail that would later become important in legal proceedings.

In Phoenix, Jeanette provided financial support to Spears. She withdrew money from an ATM and made purchases for him, including a sleeping bag. Their relationship had a complicated dynamic, as Jeanette appeared to care deeply for him, while Spears did not share the same feelings.

After spending time in Phoenix, Spears returned to California on January 4, 1992. He drove away in Jeanette's truck, having taken several of her belongings with him. This marked a turning point in his life, as it led to events that would change everything for him and for Jeanette.

Murder Story

On January 3, 1992, Anthony Marshall Spears traveled from California to Phoenix, Arizona, using a one-way plane ticket bought by Jeanette Beaulieu. He arrived with a 9mm Beretta handgun. Jeanette, a 38-year-old woman, had previously identified Spears as her boyfriend.

After Spears arrived, Jeanette withdrew $1,700 from her bank account and purchased a sleeping bag. On January 4, Spears informed his girlfriend, Joann, that he would be driving back to California. When he returned to California, he had several of Jeanette's belongings, including five guns, two sleeping bags, almost $1,000 in cash, and was driving her truck.

On January 19, 1992, the police discovered Jeanette's body in the desert east of Phoenix. She had been shot in the head, and a 9mm shell casing was found near her body. This casing matched the ammunition from Spears' handgun.

In the subsequent trial, which began on November 23, 1992, Spears was found guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to death on March 31, 1993. The prosecution argued that the motive for the murder was robbery. During his time on death row, Spears maintained his innocence, even exploring the possibility that maggots found on Jeanette's body could indicate a different date of death. This claim, along with other appeals, did not alter his conviction.