Man sentenced to prison in death of Daisy Mountain firefighter

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder charges in the 2017 death of Daisy Mountain firefighter Luke Jones.

A judge sentenced Brandon Draper to 10 years in prison on Friday for the murder of Jones. Draper was a bouncer at Centerfolds Cabaret and police say surveillance video shows him pushing Jones to the ground and hitting him in the head several times.

The club's manager, Timothy Piegari, is charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. His trial is set to start on June 7.

Jones, who was 37 years old, had worked for 12 years for the Daisy Mountain Fire Department, and had a wife and little daughter. Somehow, there was a confrontation at the club, and Draper slammed Jones to the ground outside the club, and beat him repeatedly.

"I watched on video employees high-fiving the defendant and congratulating him, as he lay outside and nobody bothered to call 911 to try to help him," said Heather Jones, the victim's husband, in court.

Jones was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. An emotional scene played out in court on Friday.

"I cannot explain to you the heartbreak I have experienced, and trauma Luke's death has caused me," said Heather, in court. "Trying to live my life without him has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do."

In court, Draper was remorseful.

"I take full responsibility," said Draper. "I'm fully sorry for what I did. I'll always think of this day. Think of the day as the worst day of my life, because I took someone away from this world. I am truly sorry."

Draper will be doing a flat ten years, with no early release. He has already served more than a year in jail while awaiting sentencing.

Meanwhile, the Centerfold Cabaret lost is liquor license and closed.