Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from March 14-16

PHOENIX — From an Arizona Supreme Court ruling to ADOT finishing major parts of its Interstate 17 project, here are some of the Valley’s top news stories from March 14-16.

Arizona high court issues ruling about constable’s liability in eviction killings

The Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday about liability in a case where a man who was being evicted in Tucson killed three people and himself.

Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, with help from apartment manager Angela Fox, was serving a writ of eviction on Gavin Lee Stansell on Aug. 25, 2022.

Stansell, who was being evicted for threatening a fellow resident with a gun, refused to answer the door and instead started shooting, killing Martinez-Garibay, Fox and a person in an adjoining apartment. Stansell then took his own life.

Martinez-Garibay had been on the job for less than six months when she was killed. Her predecessor reportedly quit over frustration about serving eviction notices.

Fox’s husband filed a wrongful death suit against Martinez-Garibay’s estate, accusing the constable of negligently exposing his wife to harm.

Winter storms close northern Arizona highways for an extended period

Multiple northern Arizona highways remained closed Friday due to dangerous winter driving conditions.

With more snow on the way after Thursday’s activity, the Arizona Department of Transportation said closures on Interstate 40 are expected to last at least through Friday night. As a result, motorist are advised to use I-8 and I-10 to travel across the state.

“If you don’t have to travel, it is certainly not recommended,” Paige Konieczny of the National Weather Service in Flagstaff told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday morning.

Snow started falling in northern Arizona on Thursday afternoon. Konieczny said the totals as of Friday morning ranged from 4-8 inches in the Flagstaff area, 5-8 inches around Williams and 1-3 inches in the Prescott area.

Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announce visit to Arizona State University

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., will visit Arizona State University next week for a rally.

The event titled “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here” will take place Thursday at Mullett Arena on the school’s Tempe campus.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. MST, and the speaking program starts at 6 p.m. MST.

The event is free and open to the public. Individuals interested in attending can RSVP online.

No bags, signs or firearms will be allowed at the event.

Gang member who helped mutilate Phoenix murder victim is sentenced

One of the gang members accused of being involved in the murder of a gay man at a Phoenix park two years ago was sentenced to prison this week, authorities said.

Manuel Carrasco Calderon was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for mutilating the dead body of Bernardo Pantaleon, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO).

The slain 30-year-old’s body was found with multiple injuries to his head, neck and torso in a Mountain View Park near Seventh and Peoria avenues on Nov. 26, 2023.

ADOT finished with major restrictions for I-17 pavement project in North Phoenix

The Arizona Department of Transportation has announced major restrictions are finished along the Interstate 17 freeway in North Phoenix.

The restrictions were a part of a $10.2 million project that started last May to improve pavement on the freeway between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74, according to a news release.

The six-mile project saw its final closure from March 7 to March 10 on southbound I-17 between SR 74 and Loop 303. The on-ramps at SR 74 and Dove Valley Road were also closed.

ADOT said they expect to start on another I-17 resurfacing project for the roadway between SR 74 and Anthem Way this summer.

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