Valer Catuna, an owner of a Phoenix-based Adult Care Home, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the homicide of a vulnerable adult entrusted to his care.
William Griswold, a 53-year-old patient diagnosed with numerous health and mental health problems, including Traumatic Brain Injury, which was a result of his being struck by a car in 2017, was a patient at the Artemis Adult Care Home from December 4, 2019, until he was killed on October 21, 2020.
Catuna, a part owner of the home, had a dispute with Griswold over Griswold’s request for a cigarette. The matter escalated, with Catuna eventually pinning Griswold down on his bed and then punching him on the side of his torso, breaking seven ribs and rupturing his spleen. Catuna’s attack caused internal bleeding. Catuna failed to call emergency medical services for Griswold for nine hours. Griswold died from his injuries on the evening of October 21, 2020.
On March 12, 2021, the State Grand Jury charged Catuna with Second Degree Murder, a Class 1 Felony, and Vulnerable Adult Abuse, a Class 2 Felony. On May 30, 2023, Catuna pled guilty to Manslaughter, a Class Two dangerous felony.