The Brief
- David Wright was sentenced to life in prison Monday for the first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend Mariah Samuels, who was shot and killed in Minneapolis in September 2025.
- Wright refused to leave his cell for his original Friday sentencing, delaying the proceedings until Monday and causing additional distress to Samuels’ family.
- Samuels’ family and friends delivered emotional statements in court on Monday.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After refusing to leave his cell last week, David Wright finally faced a judge on Monday and was sentenced to life behind bars for the slaying of his former girlfriend Mariah Samuels in Minneapolis last year.
Mariah Samuels killing
Local perspective:
Samuels was shot and killed by Wright in September 2025.
The Minneapolis Police Department has faced scrutiny from the family who have questioned whether they did enough to protect Samuels. Samuels had an order of protection filed against Wright. The family says Minneapolis police failed to act on multiple violations of the order by Wright.…