A Gilbert man's family Christmas dinner turned deadly in 2022 has resulted in a 27-year prison sentence. Michael Trevlyn Kaser, 49, received his sentence for the murder of his 80-year-old stepfather, Michael Kinney, in a violent incident that ended with gunshots shattering more than just the silence of a supposedly peaceful holiday. According to court records, the confrontation between Kaser and Kinney escalated after an argument during the ride home, peaking in violence once inside their garage.
Riddled with bullet holes, the windshield of Kinney's vehicle bore the silent testimony to the violent altercation. The stepfather was found in the driver's seat, having suffered two gunshot wounds that led to his death just half an hour later. As the vehicle crashed into the home near Recker and Warner roads, Gilbert police responded to the scene, piecing together the tragic chain of events as described by azfamily. Kaser, caught in the act of his grievous decision, was apprehended, revealing he should have taken action "a long time ago," a chilling sentiment captured during his detainment.
In a statement obtained by 12news, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell condemned Kaser's indifference, "This individual showed no remorse for his actions – he wasn’t worried about shooting his mother who was also in the vehicle, he didn’t provide aid to his stepfather but instead continually rejoiced about what he’d done." The prosecutor's words painted a stark image of a man unhinged, his conscience seemingly untouched by the gravity of his actions.
Compounding the tragedy, police found dash cam footage that graphically documented the shooting, further evidencing the deliberate nature of Kaser's act. During court proceedings, Kaser pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder and an additional count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as the mother, also present in the car during the shooting, miraculously survived without physical harm. The latter charge accounting for 2.75 years of the 27-year sentence, was also handed down to Kaser.
