Hennepin County Attorney’s Office secures first-degree murder indictments against David Wright

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office secured the following indictments via grand jury against David Wright, 51, related to the death of Mariah Samuels:

First-degree premeditated murder
First-degree murder, past pattern of domestic abuse

A conviction on either count is a mandatory sentence of life in prison; a first-degree premeditated murder conviction removes the possibility of parole.

On Nov. 24, 2025, the HCAO added first-degree murder charges as allowed under statute, provided a grand jury is convened within 14 days. The 14-day statutory requirement was met, and the indictments were finalized today.

Mr. Wright was originally charged with one count of second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

“Nothing we do can bring Mariah back to her family, where she belongs. Our prosecution of Mr. Wright will hold him accountable for his actions and will protect our community,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “The system we entrust to keep us safe failed to protect Mariah, despite her doing everything we ask of victims of domestic violence. Leaders within the system must hold themselves – and be held – accountable.”

COMPLAINT

Case Number: 27-CR-25-23719

#30#