PHOENIX – The perpetrator of armed robbery at a Tempe light rail station was
sentenced to eight years in prison.
Prior to receiving his sentence, Darian Allen Lowe claimed responsibility for his actions
and acknowledged his wrongdoings.
Knowingly facing prison time, Lowe stated on his behalf that, “When I come out, I’m
gonna be way better than when I go in.”
Prosecuting attorney Sabrina Bryan recommended 10 years for Lowe’s sentence with the reasoning being his previous felony convictions that were also victim offenses.
Bryan stated that Lowe’s felony convictions in 2017, 2018 and 2020 would make “those
three priors historical.”
Gillmore Bernard, the counsel for the defense, proposed a lighter sentence for Lowe in
recognition of his “tumultuous life and rough upbringing”.
He also shared with the court that Lowe also has schizophrenia that has been untreated.
According to records, Lowe was unhoused and “mentally disturbed” when the crime was committed early this year in February.
Lowe approached the victim Jesse William Frey at the Apache Blvd. light rail station
with a rectangular shaped weapon. He held it to Frey’s abdomen and instructed him not
to move.
Lowe then stole $300 from Frey’s wallet and fled on a train that was approaching the
station. Lowe was caught on security camera during the duration of his crime.
Later that month, Tempe police saw Lowe wearing the outfit he wore during the robbery
and arrested him based on that observation, and their prior interactions with him.
The trial for Lowe’s robbery charge commenced on Sept. 30 and concluded on Oct. 3
when a jury found him guilty of the charge brought against him.
In representing Lowe, Bernard expressed before sentencing that he has been at a
“disadvantage” during the proceedings.
Using the testimony of Brett Frantzen, a fingerprint analyst for the Maricopa County’s
Sheriff’s Office, as evidence of the hindrance of his defense.
Frantzen’s testimony preceded Lowe’s sentencing in which he attested to fingerprint
evidence that he collected.
The fingerprints included five collections that were taken from Lowe on various dates.
Although Frantzen acknowledged that there was an issue with the fifth fingerprint’s
ridge detail.
Upon cross examining, Bernard asked about the process of the collection and asked
specifics about the discrepancy that was found in the fifth fingerprint.
Frantzen replied that without a magnifying glass, that he could not “tell you verbatim
what I found.”
Bernard expressed to the judge that when he is provided with only the results, “I don’t
have anything to cross examine. Even going as far as to ask the judge to strike his
testimony.
Castille responded to his motion by explaining that Frantzen’s testimony provided
sufficient information on his methodology and was able to explain his findings to an
efficient degree. The judge sided with Castille and overturned Bernard’s motion to
strike.
Frey, who was not in court during Lowe’s sentencing, is seeking restitution for the
money he lost during the robbery.
The presiding judge Stasy Alver is set to schedule a restitution hearing for the $250 that Frey is seeking from Lowe.
Edited by Wendy Maddox.
