Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced on Apr. 28 that Isaiah Baskin has been sentenced to 38.5 years in prison for the murder of Geoffrey Rugwiro more than three years ago. Baskin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping, both classified as dangerous felonies.
The case centers on a violent incident at a large homeless encampment in Phoenix, known as “The Zone.” Surveillance footage showed Baskin and Dave Dinkins attacking Rugwiro, moving his body in a shopping cart, and placing him into a dumpster. Baskin was seen using a wooden plank to strike the area where Rugwiro’s head was located before handing Dinkins a lighter to set the dumpster on fire.
Rugwiro had arrived at the encampment only hours before his death. He spoke with his brother that night and made plans for pickup the next day, but his family did not learn what happened until months later when authorities identified his body.
During sentencing, Rugwiro’s brother told the court that Geoffrey had taken over caring for their family after their parents’ deaths and sent money back to Rwanda to support siblings there. “Geoffrey was dedicated to his family and, as a human being, deserved better than to be beaten and discarded in the trash,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “While no sentence can fill the void in his family’s lives, Homicide Bureau Chief Jon Eliason ensured justice was served.”
Dinkins previously received a sentence of 42 years after pleading guilty to similar charges.
