March 4, 2018 Homicide Suspect Arrested

On March 4, 2018, Mesa Police received a call for service about a black adult male lying or sleeping in the middle of the street by the light rail construction just east of the intersection of Stapley Road and Main Street, in Mesa.  When officers arrived, they located 34-year-old Robert Henry Stevenson unresponsive with multiple stab wounds.  He was pronounced deceased on scene by Mesa Fire and Medical.

During the initial investigation officers were able to locate the crime scene at the Frontier Motel located at 1307 E. Main Street, just west of where Mr. Stevenson was found.  Through witness information it was subsequently determined that the possible suspect involved was Derick Eugene Holman.  Mr. Holman apparently went to 1307 E. Main and confronted Mr. Stevenson who was the ex-boyfriend of Holman’s wife.

Detectives later located Mr. Holman at a relative’s residence in Phoenix at approximately noon on March 4^th.  Evidence supportive of his involvement in the Homicide were also found on Mr. Holman.  He was taken into custody and booked for one count of Second Degree Murder, a class one felony.

The Mesa Police Department worked non-stop to locate the individual responsible. Their ability to follow up on limited details, locating, and arresting a suspect within 24 hours of the incident is remarkable. These types of incident are challenging, especially when there are partial details. An outcome such as this, can provide the victim’s family and community with a sense of closure and relief.

Derick Holman