Tempe Murder Suspect Will Enter Plea in November
Christopher Hoopes is set to appear for a change-of-plea hearing regarding the 2022 death of Colleen Hoopes.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Crime — General
A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for November 16, 2026, for Christopher Hoopes, who faces charges in connection with the 2022 shooting death of Colleen Hoopes in Tempe. Hoopes was previously indicted by a grand jury on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm.
Why it matters
This hearing marks a shift in the legal proceedings for a case that has been ongoing since 2022, when attorneys for the defendant argued the incident was accidental. The upcoming court appearance will determine the current path of the criminal prosecution.
Christopher Hoopes was indicted on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm. The case involves an autopsy report confirming one gunshot wound to the neck, whereas the defense previously claimed the shooting was accidental.
The players
Christopher Hoopes
He is the defendant in the criminal case involving the shooting death of Colleen Hoopes.
Colleen Hoopes
She died in 2022 following a shooting incident in Tempe.
The details
Prosecutors indicted Hoopes after Colleen Hoopes died following her transport to a hospital, though defense attorneys have argued that the state presented misleading information to the grand jury. The defendant previously entered a not guilty plea regarding the shooting, which reportedly occurred after he woke up startled and fired a handgun toward a bed.
Timeline
The shooting incident occurred in 2022.
A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for November 16, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows the procedural path established by the 2022 Arizona grand jury indictment standards. It reflects a shift in long-running criminal litigation as the defendant prepares to change his plea after years of arguing that the incident was an accident.
Residents of Tempe may note that this proceeding signals a progression toward the resolution of a local criminal case. The court hearing will be held in the local jurisdiction, reflecting the final steps of an investigation involving the local police and court system.
The takeaway
Legal proceedings can extend over several years as defense and prosecution teams contest the details of evidence presented to grand juries. The upcoming hearing serves as a significant milestone in bringing closure to the criminal case.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the area, visit Crime — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZfamily.
