Prosecutors in Arizona are moving forward with plans to seek the death penalty for two men accused of murdering an exotic dancer in 2023. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed court documents outlining their case against Cudjoe Young, 29, and Sencere Hayes, 23. They are charged with first-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Mercedes Vega.
Charges Against the Accused
Young and Hayes face multiple serious charges, which include:
- First-degree murder
- Kidnapping
- Arson
- Theft
- Armed robbery with a deadly weapon
Additionally, Hayes is charged with hindering prosecution. The prosecution claims the murder was carried out in an “especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner.”
Details of the Case
Prosecutors allege that Vega was killed to prevent her cooperation with law enforcement. The tragic incident occurred on April 16, 2023, when Vega was abducted from her apartment’s parking garage. Her body was eventually discovered in an abandoned vehicle, showing signs of severe abuse, including burns and gunshot wounds.
Current Status of the Defendants
Young is currently held in jail on a bond set at $2.2 million. In contrast, Hayes’s bond is significantly higher at $4 million. Neither defendant’s attorney has publicly commented on the charges yet. The prosecution has opted not to pursue the death penalty against a third accused, Jared Gray, 26, who is also charged with first-degree murder in Vega’s case. Gray is currently not in custody in Maricopa County due to unrelated legal issues in Georgia.
Connections Among Defendants
While details of their relationships remain unclear, all three individuals have ties to Chattanooga, Tennessee. An affidavit supporting Gray’s arrest outlines evidence that links Young to the vehicle where Vega’s body was found, while fingerprints have connected Hayes and Gray to the murder scene. It remains to be seen how this evidence will impact the ongoing proceedings.
As the case continues to unfold, the pursuit of the death penalty highlights the severity with which these charges are being taken in Arizona.
