Category: Homicide

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Severe Child Abuse in Phoenix

Severe Child Abuse in Phoenix

Phoenix Man Leaves Child in Hot Car

Sadly children are usually the ones who suffer the most now days. Child abuse records are higher than ever and now a Phoenix father is going to be sent to trial for his connection in the 2015 death of his two year old little boy. Reports say that the little boy was left in a hot car all by himself.

The father, James Koryor is going to face manslaughter charges as well as child abuse charges. The little boy, Alpha Koryor sadly died after he was left alone in a hot car for over two hours. The temperatures were 90 degrees or more. According to the reports, the young boy was unresponsive when they found him. He sadly passed away later at the Phoenix’s Children’s Hospital due to a heatstroke.

The Phoenix Police said that the father was impaired by alcohol. Due to his own selfishness, he was inadequately parenting his young child.

“Loving” Father Figure

However, Koryor’s daughter testified for him in court.

Jamesetta’s Statement:

He was always a loving, caring father to us.

She also went on to say that on to say that she was in the backyard swimming pool when she heard someone yell to call 911. She also said that she remembered hearing her father talking with the young boy’s mother about taking his two sons to get a haircut. However, she never actually saw him leave the driveway with the boys.

She was very close with Alpha since they shared a room. She would often help the two year old get dressed in the mornings. He was free to get out of his crib and leave the room as he wanted.

Jamesetta’s Statement:

He would get up and do what 2-year-olds do.

Even though she bravely testified for her father, the prosecution team disputed her testimony. This is because at first, she told the police that she did see her father and the boys get into a “little car” then leave to go get their haircuts.

She said little car, but James Koryor usually used his larger Ford Freestyle vehicle while taking the boys out due to that vehicle already having the car seats inside. Which if you have been around kids, you know it’s a pain to move car seats around just for one trip.

Jamesetta claimed that she was emotional and under high stress during the investigation. Of course when she was asked about her relationship with the child’s mother, she admitted to them often having small arguments, which isn’t weird since all families argue.

Jamesetta’s Statement:

 I felt I was taking care of more responsibilities in the house. I tried to meet the needs of the house, and she didn’t appreciate me.
Okay, that statement kind of throws up some red flags. Revenge or resentful statements are pretty common in court so could it be a daughter covering up for her dad’s deadly mistake? Or is she telling the truth and trying to do the right thing?

 

Phoenix Domestic Violence Lawyer

Criminal Defense Cases

The highly skilled Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC advise and represent people facing criminal charges for domestic violence often described as Spousal Abuse, Spousal Battery or Domestic Dispute, such charges do not always reflect a case between married people, but include those living in the same location (cohabitation), or sometimes just engaged in a domestic (dating) relationship.  Such cases can also lead to violation of a restraining order or protective orders.  They are NOT the same as a Domestic Violence Restraining Order however.

 

With a team of former prosecutors, Phoenix based Criminal Defense Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC offer a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system. They understand the necessary steps to take in developing an aggressive defense strategy focused on securing a dismissal or minimizing any potential penalties associated with a conviction.

 

Domestic Violence cases have become extremely political and are regularly treated as “guilty until proven innocent.”   Even with minor cases, that do not involve a documented injury, proactive and rapid action by a caring defense attorney may be they key to not only avoiding a damaging no contact order, but may play a significant role in custody issues and an eventual resolution in the case that does not result in a life-time ban on the possession of firearms, tragic orders separating you from your family and other consequences that can interfere with work, school and life.

 

At the Law Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, we are committed to helping you achieve a resolution to your immediate problems, while seeking opportunities to improve the troubled family dynamics that might be underlying factors.

 

In domestic violence cases, the district attorney and the judge will be especially interested in what you’re willing to do to improve relationships, conflict resolution skills, and anger management. Your demonstration toward positive change will often make the difference in the outcome of your case. We work closely with people charged with domestic assault or battery to obtain a dismissal, diversion to community treatment or deferred entry of judgment prior to eventually achieving a dismissal.

 

 

Phoenix Domestic Violence Lawyer

Our creative approach to difficult criminal defense problems can help you avoid the consequences of a conviction in situations such as the following scenarios:

 

  • Violence or assault between spouses, unmarried parents, or cohabiting adults
  • Elder Abuse
  • Child Abuse, Cruelty to a Child, or Child Endangerment
  • Restraining Order Violations
  • Criminal Threats
  • Harassment or Stalking

 

Our ability to connect you with the programs and services that are right for your circumstances can give you an extra layer of legal protection. At the same time, we work hard to help you get the most out of the presumption of innocence that stands between you and a conviction.

 

Schedule a Free Consultation – Phoenix Domestic Violence Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime such as Domestic Violence, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

 

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
668 N 44th St. Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445
https://www.criminaldefenselawyers.me

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Gunshot Cases in Phoenix

Criminal Shooting At Best Buy

Phoenix Woman Suffers From Gunshot Wound

Oh how Phoenix never lacks in shooting stories. Someone is always on the news for sadly being injured by a gunshot.

According to the Phoenix Police, a woman who had a gunshot wound had actually managed to drive to the South Mountain Precinct for help overnight.

The victim was weirdly shot in the ankle as she was in a liquor store parking lot on the 19th Avenue. There were two male suspects who fled the area. They got into another car after they shot the woman.

Luckily the woman is expected to be okay.

Police do not know or have a motive for the shooting at this time. They also do not have any of the suspect descriptions.

Officer Involved in Shooting in Phoenix

Stolen vehicles usually tend to lead to mass chaos. When police catch up to those stolen vehicles it usually ends in a police chase or a shooting of some sort. This time, an officer involved shooting took place.

A man who was driving a stolen car has died after he was involved with not only the stolen car, but also an officer-involved shooting that took place in west Phoenix.

Luckily none of the police officers were injured during the shooting, according to a police spokesman. The shooting happened on a Wednesday around three o’clock in the evening at the 7th Avenue and McDowell Road.

The police didn’t immediately release the name of the shooting suspect. The police say that the man could have been wanted on an outstanding parole violation.

The police say that after he stopped the vehicle, he put the car into reverse and rammed the other vehicles in the area. So he was in a hurry to get out of there for multiple reasons it seems.

The police stated that one of the officers was in danger and that when the police decided to take action and shoot the victim. The man was later taken to the hospital and was in critical condition. The man later died from the gunshot wound.

Interstate Being Watched After Gunshot Shootings

Interstate shootings are kind of uncommon, so for there to be at least ten different reporting of shootings the Fowler Elementary School District are taking precautions. The Fowler Elementary School have issued orders for the buses to avoid the Phoenix Freeways, to hopefully eliminate the scare of the kids being hurt.

Marvene Lobato, Superintendent’s Statement:

I want all school district vehicles to refrain from using any freeway

The Superintendent issues the order after and incident on September 9th.

Lobato’s Gunshot Worries

I am being conscientious that whomever is demonstrating such bad judgment has no regard for human life; and I don’t want our students and staff in harm’s way

Of course other school districts are taking precautions too. They are also asking their buses to avoid the freeways due to the recent shootings.

Lobato knows that the other school districts are following suite and “doing the same”. A group of Phoenix superintendents met to figure out a plan of action to hopefully address the issue. Lobato wasn’t scared by the shootings at first, just due to the fact that the time of which they occurred. However, that changed after the September 9th incident.

Lobato’s Statement:

Today’s event happened during school time. This alarms me.

The buses that are usually used for field trips also have to make changes to their routes. The changes have increased travel time by thirty to forty minutes. Which on a bus, that seems like hours.

The Normal bus routes are being affected as well due to an increase of daily drivers also avoiding the freeways. Can’t really blame them.

Lobato knows that this is probably extremely inconvenient, not only for the bus drivers but the daily commuters, but this is something that has to be done. She said that, “life is far too precious to ignore this behavior”. Good call Superintendent Lobato. Good call. Lives matter more than travel time.

Hopefully the police can figure out whats going on and put a stop to the mass gun shooting incidents.

 

 

Phoenix Criminal Threats Lawyer

Criminal Defense Cases

Formerly referred to as terroristic threats, the crime of criminal threats may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony offense, depending on case specifics. A criminal threat occurs when an individual threatens to kill or injure another person and that person has a reasonably sustained fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family. A defendant may potentially be convicted of making criminal threats even if he or she did not intend to carry out the threat, provided that the alleged victim had a reasonable basis to fear for his or her safety.

Arrest in Phoenix for Criminal Threats

If you have been arrested for making a criminal threat, it is critical that you protect your rights by retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney. For a vigorous defense, contact the Law Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC immediately.

Arizona prosecutors have considerable discretion to charge criminal threats offenses as a misdemeanor or a felony. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor criminal threat, harassment or stalking offense, you could face up to one year in county jail. If you are convicted of a felony criminal threats offense, you could face up to four years in state prison. You could face significantly greater penalties if you used a firearm or other dangerous weapon while making criminal threats.

Types of Criminal Threats

A Criminal Threat is a strike offense, which means that you could face significantly enhanced penalties if you are convicted of a future felony. Even a nonviolent felony could result in twice the prison sentence if you have a prior strike offense. A third strike could result in a prison sentence of 25 years to life.

Criminal Threats Defensive Strategy

There are many ways that our skilled Phoenix Defense Attorneys can raise a strong defense on your behalf. First, we will examine the facts of the case to determine if the prosecution has enough evidence to obtain a conviction. In particular, we will look at any evidence of the alleged communication. Does the prosecution have copies of an email or voicemail? If the state has nothing more than a he-said-she said case, the prosecution will have a tougher time proving its case.

 

Taking Your Criminal Threats Case to Trial

Even if the prosecution has evidence of the alleged communication, we will examine the nature of the communication. Was the threat a serious one? In other words, did the alleged victim actually fear for his or her safety and was he or she reasonable to have such fear? The prosecution does not have to prove that you intended to carry out the threat, or even that you had the current ability to carry out the threat. However, the prosecution must establish that the threat you made is the type that would have caused the defendant to have a reasonable fear.

If you choose to take your case to trial, we offer skilled Phoenix trial lawyers who will aggressively defend your rights in the courtroom. If you do not want to fight your charges at trial, we can negotiate with the prosecution to seek a favorable plea agreement. Depending on the facts of your case, we may be able to help you keep this off of your record. If that is not possible, we can seek a plea to a lesser offense, including a non-strike offense, or we can seek an agreement on sentencing that will limit the penalties you face. With a team of former prosecutors, the skilled attorneys at the Phoenix Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC are highly adept at finding creative solutions for their clients.

Schedule a Free Consultation – Phoenix Criminal Threats Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime such as a Terrorist Threat, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to.

 

 

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
668 N 44th St. Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445

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Crimes Against Children

Crimes Against Children

Police Fight for Crimes Against Children

Child abuse or crimes done to children is absolutely disgusting. In my opinion it’s one of the worse forms of abuse. This is probably why the abusers doesn’t last long in prison.

According to the Woonsocket Police, on Friday they were able to arrest a man who was accused of crimes against children.

The police said that they found twenty-nine year old, Rodolfo Ortiz Rivera. He was hiding out in Springfield, Massachusetts. The police found him just a day after they requested public assistance in finding him.

He must be a real piece of work because he had a warrant out of his arrest for first degree child molestation, second degree child abuse, as well as solicitation of a six year old girl.

Women Charged for Child Abuse

Being a woman and a mother, you would think that a woman wouldn’t want to harm any child. What happened to their motherly instincts? Just because a child has something wrong with them medically doesn’t mean that your love for them stops or your care.

Two women are now being charged for their part in a 2016 case where the five year old little boy suffered seizures and broken bones after he was hit with a hammer. The women enter “please of no contest to all charges”. This is happening in Muskogee County.

Just because they plea no contest doesn’t mean they are guilty or that they are innocent. They just mean that they aren’t admitting to the guilt but have no defense for themselves. So pretty much they’re guilty but don’t want to admit it.

Twenty-six year old Kayla Jones and twenty-nine year old Rachel Stevens were both sentenced to twenty years in jail. They are allowed a one year judicial review.

Both of the young women were charged with one count of child abuse by injury as well as one count of child neglect.

Another Example of Children Being Abused

Boys fight. When a son turns teenager, the father and son are bound to butt heads. But taking a clothes hanger and choking a five year old is a little over the top. No child, no matter how old deserves that.

A Mesa man is accused of choking his five year old son with a clothes hanger. According to the reports from the Mesa police on September 12th they were contacted by the school officials. According to the school a five year old little boy showed up to school with marks on his little chest as well as his neck.

The nurse documented the “cuts and scratches on the child’s head, chest, and marks on his arms”.

Crimes Against Children in Arizona

The little boy told the authorities that his father had choked him with a white clothes hanger and cut his little arm with a  knife. His father is thirty year old, Patrick Lamont Smith.

The police went to the home near Lindsey and Broadway roads where they found some heartbreaking evidence. There were other children in the home and agreed with the victims story. They even told the police that the little boy was “the only one abused that day”. How sad. How long have these poor children had to suffer through this with that man?

The suspect, told the police that yes he does have a white clothes hanger. He uses it to threaten the children when they misbehave.

He did admit to grabbing and yelling at the poor child. However, he denied choking him. He did tell the police that he grabbed the little boy by the back of his neck. Which is horrible in itself.

According to reports, Smith has been charged with aggravated assault as well as child abuse.

 

Criminal Defense Cases

If you are suspected of murder, aggravated assault or another violent crime, an experienced criminal defense attorney can secure your rights. A skilled lawyer will not only look for ways to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed but will also focus on developing an effective criminal defense trial strategy. At Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, we have a substantial background defending clients accused of violent crimes in the state of Arizona and the greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Our lead criminal defense attorney, Daniel Perlman, is a former prosecutor who previously pursued charges against individuals suspected of violent crimes. Mr. Perlman and the entire Perlman Law Group offer a comprehensive view of the criminal justice system and know the right steps to take in developing a defense strategy while seeking to mitigate any potential damage.

Our ability to work with the facts in plea negotiations can turn a weak defense into a strong one. In our experience, a creative approach to your defense strategy can result in a sentence of probation or work release, even on a felony plea.

Effective Defensive Strategy for Violent Crimes

As a starting point for an effective defense strategy, we will evaluate the police report, witness statements and any physical evidence. Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC takes its approach a step further through identifying creative solutions by focusing on the actual risk of punishment you are currently facing. The threat of prison will probably be based as much on your prior record as it will be on the facts of the current criminal charges.

Our firm handles cases involving all types of Violent Crime allegations, including:

  • Assault and Assault with a Deadly Weapon
  • Murder, Attempted Murder and Manslaughter
  • Weapons Offenses
  • Armed Robbery
  • Kidnapping and False Imprisonment
  • Criminal Threats
  • Gang-Related Crimes
  • Resisting Arrest and Assault on an Officer
  • Domestic Violence

If weaknesses in the government’s case mean that you stand a good chance of success at trial, we will aggressively represent your interests before a jury. If the evidence against you makes a trial too risky, we will advise you and work with all parties — including prosecutors, probation officers, court services and community agencies — to show that you are an excellent candidate for favorable treatment.

Schedule a Free Consultation –  Phoenix Violent Crimes lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
668 N 44th St. Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445
https://www.criminaldefenselawyers.me

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assault Homicide Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Wrongful Death

Police Investigate Phoenix Homicide

Police Investigate Phoenix Homicide

Police Investigate Phoenix Homicide Shooting

Phoenix police stay pretty busy in the Phoenix area. Now they have to investigate a Phoenix shooting that happened on a Saturday morning.

According to the Phoenix Police Depart, the officers went to investigate the call around 3:30 in the morning. The call took them to 15th Avenue and Osborn Road.

The police arrived and found a man who was injured from a gunshot. The wounded man had to be taken to the local hospital for his wound, where he sadly passed away due to his injuries.

According to the reports, the police say that they had followed “evidence” of an injured person away from the scene. However, they weren’t able to locate a second victim.

Later that night the police got another call about a second shooting victim was found near 27th and Southern Avenues.

The reports say that the second victim was an adult male. He also had to be transported to the local hospital, but he didn’t not have life threatening injuries. The police think that the two shooting scenes are connect.

Phoenix Police Responded to Homicide Call

Another day, another homicide in Phoenix. This time the shooting happened to a man, who ended up dying to his wounds. According to the Phoenix Police, the shooting happened on Saturday morning.

Phoenix police got to the scene around 5 o’clock in the morning. The reports say that they went to the 10100 block of  West Cordes Road. After arriving they found a man who was shot inside of the home and was fatally shot. After the investigation, police are calling this a homicide.

The police of course questioned to neighbors to hopefully find something out. If the police did find something they’re not releasing the information at this time.

Phoenix Police Investigate Found Body

It’s a sad day when someone is minding their own business and randomly finds a dead body in a public alley. Talk about no remorse from the person who killed the victim.

The Phoenix police now have to investigate the homicide. The witness found the body in the alley.  According to reports, the witness found the body near 2200 N. Dayton Street in an alley. The victim was a twenty-seven year old man. The witness made the call to the police around 7:30 in the morning.

After the police got to the scene they figured out that the cause of the victims death was pretty suspicious. That’s when this incident turned into a homicide case.

Phoenix Police are asking that if anyone has information on this murder then please call Silent Witness. Callers can always remain anonymous. They’re even offering a $1000 reward

Police Investigate Phoenix Complex Homicide

Apartment shootings in Phoenix are almost a daily occurrence it seems like. Now Phoenix police have arrested a man who was involved in a shooting on Sunday. The shooting involved another man who got shot and it happened in an apartment complex in Phoenix.

When the officers got to the scene, they found a man who was already dead from a gunshot wound. They found out he was forty-nine years old.

The police worked fast and made an arrest against thirty-four year old Markus Miller.

Later, the police identified the shooting victim as Terrance Hodge.

Phoenix Homicide Lawyer

Criminal Defense Cases

If you have been charged with murder, the attorney you choose to defend you will likely be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Obtaining a strong defense could be the difference between freedom and a life behind bars.

 

At the Phoenix based Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, you will find the experienced, dedicated and highly skilled trial attorneys you need to protect your rights. Each of our attorneys made a conscious decision to become a criminal defense lawyer. We could have chosen any other field of law, but defending the freedom and liberty of people who are facing the possibility of incarceration was our first choice. We believe strongly that skilled and passionate defense attorneys can make a difference in the lives of their clients. We go into every case feeling that we can make that difference.

 

Hiring the Right Homicide Lawyer in Phoenix

Having a skilled homicide defense attorney is important in any criminal case, but it is even more critical in a murder case. To properly defend a client against a murder charge, a defense lawyer must be prepared to effectively challenge the prosecution’s evidence. To do so, a Phoenix Murder Defense Attorney must be prepared to effectively cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses, including any expert witnesses.

 

Expert Witnesses

In some cases, a Phoenix Homicide Defense Attorney may need to use expert witnesses on behalf of the defendant to challenge forensic evidence, ballistics evidence and other scientific evidence presented by the prosecution. We are prepared to do so and have worked with expert witnesses in the past to provide a vigorous defense on our clients’ behalf.

 

In addition to fighting your charges at trial (or seeking a case dismissal for lack of probable cause), we can also negotiate with the prosecution to seek a favorable plea agreement. A plea agreement might involve a plea to a lesser offense or an agreement on sentencing that will significantly reduce the penalties you face.

 

Homicide Defense Strategy

We will take the time to talk to witnesses, investigate what really happened in your case, understand what evidence is in the prosecution’s possession, look for holes in the prosecution’s case, and determine if the police violated your constitutional rights or made other critical errors that can be used to your advantage.

We are committed to raising a strong and comprehensive defense on your behalf. Depending on the facts of your case, the following defenses and strategies may be helpful:

 

  • Self-Defense
  • Insanity
  • Mistaken Identity
  • Suppression of Evidence
  • Challenging DNA, Fingerprint Evidence and other Forensic Evidence
  • Challenging Ballistics Evidence (Relating to Firearms and Bullets)
  • Challenging the Reliability of an Eyewitness
  • Challenging Whether the Evidence Sustains a Murder Conviction
  • Negotiation with the Prosecution to Determine if a Plea Agreement Could

Significantly Minimize the Charges or Penalties you Face

 

We have defended clients against murder charges and other felony violent crimes. You can be confident that you will have a highly skilled and dedicated defense lawyer who will advise you of your rights, help explain the process and work diligently to seek the best possible outcome on your behalf.

 

Schedule a Free Consultation – Phoenix Homicide Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime such as Homicide, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

 

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
668 N 44th St. Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445
https://www.criminaldefenselawyers.me

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assault battery Homicide Personal Injury Wrongful Death

Stabbing Cases in San Diego

Police Investigate Stabbing in the Phoenix Area

Couple Trick Man into a Relationship Then Kill Him by Stabbing

A Southern California couple were arrested Wednesday for allegedly tricking a man into a relationship. They then convinced him to name one of the suspects as his “heir” and then killed him, according to FBI documents.

Fifty-two year old, Jake Clyde Merendino was a wealthy Texas retiree. He was sadly found dead on May 2nd in a Mexico ravine. According to the news, he had been stabbed many times.

San Diego residents, twenty-five year old David Enrique Meza and twenty-year old Marie Langston are connected to his death. This according to a federal search warrant that was filed by the FBI.

According to the investigators, Merendino met Meza online in 2013 and sparked a relationship. Meanwhile, Meza had been living with Langston, who was pregnant with Meza’s child at the time of the slaying.

Days After Mans Fatal Stabbing, Named Heir Pops Up

Just days after Merendino’s body was found, Meza then produced a handwritten will that made him the only heir to Merendino’s estate, according to the FBI.

A Federal search warrant shows that on April 29th, Meza and Merendino rented a car in the Spring Valley area and drove into Mexico. They made the trip so that Merendino could close escrow on a $300,000 oceanfront condo at an upscale development, at Palacio del Mar.

Due to the fact that the new condo wasn’t ready yet, the two men had to cross back into the United States. They then checked into the Hercor Hotel which is in Chula Vista. On May 1st Merendino drove back to Baja California while Meza followed behind him on his motorcycle.

Police Investigate

The federal authorities said that the couple checked into Bobby’s by the Sea hotel, which is not far from Merendino’s condo. On May 1st the victim came down to the lobby between 7 and 8 p.m. and was looking for a wine bottle opener. Around 10:30 that same night, people claimed they heard a motorcycle leaving the parking lot. Meza’s motorcycle was the only motorcycle on the parking lot that night, according to the search warrant.

Around eleven o’clock that night, the border cameras on the property caught Meza entering the United States. Merendino was last seen alive around one o’clock May 2nd. He told the hotel security guard that he had to go help a friend that was stranded on the road.  Then his body was later found right off the highway around 3:33 a.m., he was only five minutes away from the hotel.

Meza wasn’t found on any cameras entering back into Mexico, the search warrant states that Meza was however seen entering back into the United States at 3:57 in the morning on May 2nd. Around 25 minutes later, Langston who was driving a black SUV with no license plates, was seen at the port of entry and was also crossing back into the United States.

FBI Investigator’s Search Warrant Statement:

Meza owns a black 2012 Hyundai Tucson SUV. I believe that this black SUV with no license plate was Meza’s SUV, and I suspect that the plates were removed to disguise the identity of the registered owner of the SUV (Meza).

 

On May 2nd at 7 p.m. both Meza and Langston returned to Bobby’s by the Sea, both in the Black SUV. The hotel staff said that Meza said that he needed to pick up some personal items from the room that he shared with Merendino. The Mexican officials later reported to the FBI that Merendino had several items missing, $15,000 worth of stuff. In the things missing was a diamond-stuffed Rolex, iPhone, iPad, and laptop.

After the nws of Meredinos fatal stabbing started to spread, an attorney in Texas. This attorney from Texas, was the one to make up his original will in 1998. He filed the probate paperwork in Texas on May 8th, however about a week later, Meza and his attorneys contested the will.

Police get Search Warrants

They filed a handwritten will. The will was scribbled on letterhead from the Hercor Hotel. Meza claims that the will was written by Merendino on December 21, 2014. It was the “paper” that named Meza as Merendino’s sole heir.

The affidavit stated that the investigators interviewed Meza in June, after they served search warrants to his apartment and vehicles. During that interview, investigators say that Meza denied killing Merendino. However, he did say that he and Langston were planning on robbing him. He did admit to calling Merendino the night of the stabbing and did ask him to meet at the spot where his body was found.

Interviewing Suspects

Meza then told the investigators that instead of robbing Merendino, he got scared and left. When Langston was interviewed, she said she crossed into Mexico on May 1st to visit Meza’s friend “Joe”. She said they sat at Joe’s table for four hours, without eating or drinking or watching TV. They then returned home.

According to the FBI, the friend Joe she mentioned was identified as Jose Aguilera. Joe said that he had not seen Meza and Langston for about a year and half. He claims that the couple hasn’t ever visited his home in Tijuana. Joe also told the agents that Meza only called him a week after the killing and asked him to lie to the police if they called. He asked him to tell the police that the couple visited him.

Meza is not in deep trouble, and is facing federal counts of interstate or foreign domestic violence. Which resulted in murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Langston is also in trouble, and is accused of obstruction of justice, a false statement to a federal officer and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

 

 

 

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
668 N 44th St. Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445

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Phoenix Homicide

Car Incidents Leading to Death

Police Investigate Phoenix Homicide

The Phoenix police are now investigating a double homicide. This happened on Wednesday after two people were found shot to death. They were found near the bleachers on a baseball field at the El Prado Park in south Phoenix.

The victims were reportedly a twenty-eight year old man and a twenty-three year old woman. According to Sgt. Alan Pfohl of the Phoenix Police Department, their identities haven’t been released at this time due to notifying their families.

According to the police, they think that the victims died overnight. the bodies were found by a passer-by around six o’clock in the morning. The person notified a park employee who called the police.

Shooting in Phoenix

Police had to arrest a man on Sunday for his involvement in a shooting of another man at an apartment complex in Phoenix. The shooting was reported around 6:20 p.m. on Saturday. The shooting happened at an apartment complex near 19th and Northern Avenues.

According reports, when the officers got to the scene the saw a forty-nine year old man. He was already dead and it was due to a gunshot wound.

Police said that on Sunday the police were able to locate and arrest a suspect, thirty-four year old, Markus Miller.

The victim was identified as Terrance Hodge.

Man’s Body Found in Phoenix

A man’s body was found on Thursday morning. This was in Encanto Park which is in Phoenix as well. Not a good time to be in Phoenix.

The police are investigating this as a homicide case.

The man was only known as “Richard”. He was found dead around 10:15 in the late morning at the park.

 

Couple Arrested for Homicide

There’s a lot of fun things to do as a couple, however murder isn’t one of them!

A married couple has recently been arrested for their involvement in a homicide case. This was after a body was found at an east Phoenix home. The woman told the police that her husband had killed the victim with a baseball bat last month.  Waited a little long to tell the police didn’t she?

The Phoenix Police said that thirty-two year old, Leviticus Najar and his thirty-five year old wife, Metika Najar were booked into jail for suspicion of abandonment of a dead body.

The victim hasn’t been identified at this time.

The police did said that the body was found inside of a concealed location inside of the home. Apparently the Najar’s had been renting the home since 2005.

Homicide

Apparently the body was only found after the actual owner of the home was doing some repairs on the home’s flooring and accidently found a six foot tool box wrapped in plastic. The tool box had a foul odor coming from it so he called the police.

The police cut through 12 layers of wrapping and found a human skull, wrapped in duct tape.

Metika told the police that she and her husband had let a man as well as his brother stay at the home from time to time over the past three months.

She went on to say that she saw her husband go into a room and hear a noise like ” a bat hit a bicycle three times”. She said that she thought her husband had hit the victim because he had been making romantic advances towards her.

Metika said her husband had put the dead body in their backyard woodshed and wrapped it in a tarp then she never saw it again. She also told the police that she had burned the mattress where the man was killed in July in hopes to protect her husband.

 

Phoenix Manslaughter Lawyer

At the Phoenix based Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, we have defended many clients charged with a violent crime, including murder charges and other high-level violent crimes. We can provide the strong defense you need if you have been charged with voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.

If you discovered your spouse in bed with a lover and as a result killed your spouse in a sudden rage, you may have been charged with first-degree murder. However, you may only be guilty of voluntary manslaughter, an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of 11 years, as opposed to a life sentence.

Manslaughter is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being without malice. The term malice is used in a highly technical sense and does not simply imply a feeling of anger.

 

Types of Manslaughter Defenses

If you have been charged with murder and the evidence is stacked against you to show that you did unlawfully kill another person, seeking a conviction to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter may make a significant difference in your case.

To effectively raise such a defense, you must be able to establish that you were provoked, that a reasonable person in such a situation might be similarly provoked to kill, and that you did not have sufficient time to cool off and further contemplate your actions. If retained as your counsel, we will thoroughly investigate the facts of your case to determine which defense strategy gives you the best opportunity to protect your freedom.

 

Types of Manslaughter Cases in Phoenix

In the state of Arizona, you may be charged with involuntary manslaughter under two separate circumstances:

  • If you committed a crime (other than a felony) and unintentionally caused the

death of another person.

  • If you were engaged in a lawful act that might cause death and acted without

“due caution and circumspection.”

 

Manslaughter Conviction and Sentencing

A conviction for involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment. If you caused the unintentional death of another person and you were not committing a crime, it is not sufficient for the prosecution to allege that you made a mistake. The phrase “without due cause and circumspection” implies something more than a simple mistake. Our Phoenix Attorneys can raise a number of issues and defenses on your behalf to raise the strong defense you need. A plea to a lesser offense or a plea that allows you to avoid a criminal conviction may be possible depending on the facts of your case. If you choose to fight your charges at trial, we have the skilled trial lawyers to aggressively defend your rights in the courtroom.

 

Schedule a Free Consultation – Phoenix Manslaughter Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime such as Manslaughter, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
668 N 44th St. Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445
https://www.criminaldefenselawyers.me