TUCSON, AZ (KGUN) – Jack Upchurch, the man convicted of killing Good Samaritan Paul Clifford on Christmas Eve 2024, was given a natural life sentence plus 21 years in prison on Monday.
Paul Clifford was a big man with a big heart—and a spirit of generosity so strong he was willing to leave his home on Christmas Eve to help this man—Jack Upchurch. Upchurch said he had car trouble. It was a truck he had stolen and disabled with stolen fuel from some heavy equipment.
A jury agreed Upchurch shot Clifford, burned his body and stole the truck Clifford had been driving. Over the family’s objections, two teenage accomplices got reduced sentences after they testified against Upchurch.
Clifford’s family had attended just about every hearing in the case, but their attorney Thomas Bailey said the loss of the man they loved so much left them too devastated to come to court to see Jack Upchurch sentenced.
“I can’t imagine waking up tomorrow and knowing that my dad's body was put a bullet in his head and set on fire. The mother and father of Paul? They are, they are unfunctuional at this point. They don't know what to do. Their health is poor. They're stuck. They're done. So whatever sentence is given to Mr. Upchurch, we know the sentencing range. It was a life sentence for at least 6 other folks that can't even get here today.”
On the murder charge, the law gave Judge Richard Gordon two options—sentence Upchurch to Natural Life—that means no chance of release–Upchurch would die in prison.
Prosecutors argued for that sentence.
Upchurch’s attorney argued for the other option. A chance for parole after 25 years. Michael Harwin said Upchurch had a hard childhood and had been working to better himself while waiting for trial by taking a long list of classes, including more than a hundred Bible courses.
But Judge Gordon cited the terrible harm Upchurch caused the people who loved Paul Clifford. He did order life without parole for Jack Upchurch, plus a sentence for related charges that add another 21 years.
After a nearly two-week trial, Upchurch was found guilty on July 23 on all counts, including
- first-degree murder
- aggravated robbery
- theft of transportation
- arson of occupied structure
- tampering with evidence
- third-degree burglary
- tampering with evidence
In a statement following the sentencing hearing, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said:
"From the beginning, we knew that this case would be difficult to prosecute and heavily reliant on critical eyewitness testimony.
And what we knew more than anything was that the shooter had proven himself to be a tremendous ongoing threat of harm. It was not surprising that the homicide panel decided we should pursue life in prison without the possibility of parole. We are very selective and careful before sending someone to prison to die there, but this case qualified under our rigorous criteria.
I am deeply grateful to our Prosecution team, Victim Services Advocates, and law enforcement partners for their extraordinary work and dedication throughout this difficult and high-risk case.
Most importantly, our hearts remain with the Clifford family and those who loved him. I send my deepest condolences and peace to them."
On Christmas Eve 2024, authorities said Upchurch was driving a stolen truck near the remote community of Redington. Upchurch was accompanied by 16-year-old Wendy Scott and 19-year-old Elmer Smith.
Investigators said the trio saw some ADOT heavy equipment and siphoned out some diesel fuel. As soon as they put it in the truck, the truck stalled, and they could not restart it.
Scott testified that Upchurch smoked some meth and set out looking for some way to get out of their predicament.
Prosecutors said he found Paul Clifford’s house and asked for help. Clifford borrowed his daughter’s truck and went with Upchurch back to the disabled truck.
During the trial, prosecutor John Strader said, “He preyed upon Paul’s kindness and holiday spirit and started to spin his lies. I need help. My truck won’t start; I need a jump.”
Strader said Upchurch knew a jump-start would not fix the truck disabled by the stolen fuel. Strader added Upchurch told Clifford he was taking his truck, shot him, set the disabled truck on fire and set Clifford's body on fire.
He said all three went back to Tucson for six days of smoking meth and hiding evidence until sheriff’s deputies found them.
Scott and Smith initially faced the same murder charge Upchurch faced until they agreed to testify against him. They pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
Smith was sentenced to 7-and-a-quarter years for burglary and car theft, while Scott was given six years of probation for car theft and evidence tampering.
