Phoenix serial murder suspect’s lawyers granted more time
Jan 18, 2018, 3:23 PM
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has allowed more time for a Phoenix serial murder suspect’s defense lawyers to challenge the grand jury proceedings.
Attorneys for Aaron Juan Saucedo on Thursday were granted 60 more days to look over the large stack of paperwork and evidence collected and submitted by law enforcement in the capital case.
Saucedo, 23, pleaded not guilty to a series of fatal street shootings. Nine people were killed and two others wounded. He did not appear in court for the sixth straight hearing.
The lawyers entered a motion requesting more time Jan. 4.
The former city bus driver was charged in June with first-degree murder, attempted murder and drive-by shootings committed from 2015 to 2016 mostly at night and mostly in the Maryvale neighborhood.
This undated photo, left, provided by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office shows Aaron Saucedo. The image at right shows his initial court appearance. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Photo and screenshot)
Earlier this month, defense had fought against their client having to undergo testing of his IQ and sanity.
Saucedo had been charged in April 2017 with the shooting death of his mother’s boyfriend, Raul Romero two years beforehand.
Prosecutors have said they intended to seek the death penalty on eight of the nine deaths.
Many of the killings were in a mostly Latino neighborhood where residents became afraid to go outside their homes at night.
The trial was scheduled to begin Nov. 4.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
