PEORIA, Ariz. — A woman has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to domestic violence manslaughter in the fatal hammer attack of her cousin. Brianna Elise Zerth, 33, received her sentence on Friday, marking a somber conclusion to a case that unveiled a history of violence and substance abuse among family members.
The incident occurred on May 5, 2022, when police responded to reports of a deceased man inside a residence near 112th Avenue and West Diana Avenue. Officers discovered Peter McKenna Jr., also 33, who had sustained multiple blunt-force injuries. Authorities quickly identified Zerth as his cousin and roommate, indicating that alcohol had played a role in the events leading to the tragedy.
According to reports, Zerth and McKenna had been drinking the night before when a disagreement escalated into violence. Zerth later recounted that she had a “blurry” recollection of that night and woke up the next day to find McKenna lying in a pool of blood. At the scene, investigators noted several signs of a struggle and attempts to conceal the violence, including Zerth covering McKenna’s body with a jacket and cleaning up the mess, presumably with the presence of her 6-year-old daughter nearby.
The girl’s presence added an alarming dimension to the case. She reportedly informed investigators that Zerth had used a hammer during the incident, further complicating matters for her mother. Neighbors expressed shock at the events, describing the once-quiet neighborhood as shaken by the violent crime.
Initially, Zerth faced multiple charges, including second-degree murder and evidence tampering. However, prosecutors sought additional evidence before moving forward with formal charges. In early 2023, a grand jury indicted her, reflecting the intricacies of the case and the challenges law enforcement faced in piecing together the sequence of events.
With the threat of harsher penalties looming if the case went to trial, Zerth entered a plea agreement in April, opting for a guilty plea on the manslaughter charge in exchange for the dismissal of other accusations. This decision served to minimize the risks for both sides, as a trial could have revealed contentious elements surrounding the altercation.
The court acknowledged her prior time served, granting Zerth credit for over three years already spent in custody, thereby reducing the length of her new sentence. By accepting the manslaughter charge, she avoided trial for the more severe allegations, while also ensuring she would serve significant time in prison.
Moving forward, the community remains affected by the aftermath of a tragedy that stemmed from familial strife and substance abuse, raising questions about the complexities of relationships that can lead to such dire outcomes. As Zerth begins her 21-year sentence, the case serves as a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of domestic conflict.