Arizona man accused of killing child wants laptop in cell
Jul 24, 2015, 3:59 PM | Updated: 4:00 pm
PHOENIX — An Arizona man accused of killing a young girl has filed to have a laptop brought into his cell.
Lawyers for accused child killer Justin James Rector filed a motion to allow him the laptop so he can help plan his defense by viewing more than 40 CDs and DVDs that are part of his case file.
Mohave County Deputy County Attorney Greg McPhillips said Rector doesn’t need a laptop in his cell as the county provides computers in the jail he can use.
“The privileges provided by the sheriff protect Mr. Rector’s Constitutional rights to help his attorney build the case,” McPhillips said, adding that it is his understanding that Rector has never made any request to use the jail’s computers.
McPhillips said Rector does not need access to the Internet to review the material.
Jail officials fear the laptop and its accessories could be used as a weapon.
Rector’s attorney, Gerald Gavin, was not available for comment.
McPhillips said oral arguments have not been scheduled and there’s no word on when Judge Lee Jantzen might rule on the defense’s motion. The next scheduled court date in the case is Sept. 30.
Rector allegedly killed 8-year-old Isabella “Bella” Grogan-Canella in September. Her body was found in a shallow grave near her home in Bullhead City.
He is facing charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if Rector is convicted.
