MISTRIAL AZ - Isabel Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012, found deceased in 2017* *Arrest* #27

[Niner]

Wednesday, April 14th:
*Motions Hearing (Day 1 of 3) (re Murder) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (April 21, 2012, Tucson, found Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) & Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) (June 4, 2014, Tucson, found June 6, 2014, id’ed June 20, 2014) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (36/now 38) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & charged & arraigned (9/24/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of kidnapping a minor under 15, 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary, 1 count of theft by controlling stolen property, 1 count of trafficking in stolen property & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial to begin on 7/27/21 with jury selection. Trial will be on Tuesdays thru Fridays (thru 9/29/21) (no court on 9/7).
Trial (for Burglary/fraud) set to begin on 6/8/21. (for both).
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 9/15/18 to 1/6/21 reference post #230 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Mercedes Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 9/15/18 to 1/6/21 reference post #110 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
1/11/21 Update: Next motions hearing on pending matters & motions on 3/18, 3/19 & 3/22 all at 10:30am. 3/18/21 Update: Motions hearing continued to 3/19/21. 3/19/21 Update: Motions hearing continues to 3/22/21.
3/22/21 Update: Motions hearings have been rescheduled to 4/14 thru 4/16/21 & status hearing on 5/10/21. 3/31/21 Update: Clements' lawyers are moving to suppress evidence that the state has obtained using his cell phone. They are also claiming that pre-trial publicity should require the case to move out of Pima County, as well as the constitutionality of the death penalty.
4/7/21 Update: DA has filed State’s Notice to withdraw the death penalty.
Co-Defendant on Maricopa County case:
*Melissa Stark (29 @ time of crime/now 33) – Fraud/Burglary case – Pretrial conference hearing on 5/25/21. Trial was on 6/8/21.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, April 15th:
*Motions Hearing (Day 2 of 3) (re Murder) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (April 21, 2012, Tucson, found Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) & Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) (June 4, 2014, Tucson, found June 6, 2014, id’ed June 20, 2014) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (36/now 38) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & charged & arraigned (9/24/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of kidnapping a minor under 15, 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary, 1 count of theft by controlling stolen property, 1 count of trafficking in stolen property & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial to begin on 7/27/21 with jury selection. Trial will be on Tuesdays thru Fridays (thru 9/29/21) (no court on 9/7).
Trial (for Burglary/fraud) set to begin on 6/8/21. (for both).
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 9/15/18 to 3/31/21 reference post #242 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Mercedes Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 9/15/18 to 3/31/21 reference post #114 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
4/7/21 Update: DA has filed State’s Notice to withdraw the death penalty. Motions hearings have been rescheduled from 4/14 thru 4/16/21 & status hearing on 5/10/21. 4/14/21 Update: Murder: Motions hearing continues on 4/15/21.
Co-Defendant on Maricopa County case:
*Melissa Stark (29 @ time of crime/now 33) – Fraud/Burglary case – Pretrial conference hearing on 5/25/21. Trial was on 6/8/21.

 

[Niner]

Friday, April 16th:
*Motions Hearing (Day 3 of 3) (re Murder) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (April 21, 2012, Tucson, found Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) & Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) (June 4, 2014, Tucson, found June 6, 2014, id’ed June 20, 2014) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (36/now 38) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & charged & arraigned (9/24/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of kidnapping a minor under 15, 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary, 1 count of theft by controlling stolen property, 1 count of trafficking in stolen property & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial to begin on 7/27/21 with jury selection. Trial will be on Tuesdays thru Fridays (thru 9/29/21) (no court on 9/7).
Trial (for Burglary/fraud) set to begin on 6/8/21. (for both).
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 9/15/18 to 3/31/21 reference post #242 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Mercedes Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 9/15/18 to 3/31/21 reference post #114 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
4/7/21 Update: DA has filed State’s Notice to withdraw the death penalty. Motions hearings have been rescheduled from 4/14 thru 4/16/21 & status hearing on 5/10/21. 4/14/21 Update: Murder: Motions hearing continues on 4/15/21. 4/15/21 Update: Motions hearing continues to 4/16/21.
Co-Defendant on Maricopa County case:
*Melissa Stark (29 @ time of crime/now 33) – Fraud/Burglary case – Pretrial conference hearing on 5/25/21. Trial was on 6/8/21.

 

[Niner]

@PayrollNerd - just wondering if the next court date for the murder case is still on 5/20/21 since I can't access Pima County.

TIA!

 

[Seattle1]

From archived news:

The response detailed Clements’ “unusual obsession” with Acuras and said the grand jury heard testimony that a man matching Clements’ description came by the house prior to Isabel’s disappearance to ask about purchasing a red Acura parked in front of the Celis house.

[..]

During Clements’ later negotiations with the FBI to provide information about the location of Isabel’s body, he was adamant that he wouldn’t release information unless his Acura was released from police custody in an unrelated burglary charge.

The grand jury also heard evidence that on April 21, 2012 — the morning Isabel’s family discovered her missing — Clements spent $110 on a car wash for his Acura, the same one that was in police custody when he was negotiating with the FBI.

4/16/2019
Man accused in kidnapping, slaying of 2 Tucson girls wants charges reconsidered

 

[Seattle1]

Isa will never be forgotten.

Can't believe 4/20 will mark nine years since this tragedy touched the nation.

And how painful for her family as they continue to wait for justice.

 

[Niner]

WOW! Didn't realize it has been 9 years already....

at least we finally - hopefully - have a trial date - 7/27!

 

[PayrollNerd]

Here is the calendar for Pima County from 4/19/2021 to 5/1/2022 - I just chose that range at random to see what it picked up.

Case: CR20183978
Defendant: CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER

 

[Niner]

So - according to that - no 5/10 status hearing. Next would be motions hearing on 6/9.
And I notice his trial date has been moved 2022.... geez.... going to be almost 10 years!!??!!

 

[PayrollNerd]

So - according to that - no 5/10 status hearing. Next would be motions hearing on 6/9.
And I notice his trial date has been moved 2022.... geez.... going to be almost 10 years!!??!!

Yeah 2 days of motion hearings in June and then 4 days of trial next Jan. Remind to take another look when you need me to.

 

[Niner]

Yeah 2 days of motion hearings in June and then 4 days of trial next Jan. Remind to take another look when you need me to.

Well I think there are going to be more trial dates - as of right now I had trial starting 7/27 going thru 9/29 on Tuesdays thru Friday.

Almost 2 months - not just 4 days. But I will get back to you on that!

Thanks!

 

[Seattle1]

Nine years today.

Peace and comfort to all that mourn this child.

#justiceforIsa

 

[imstilla.grandma]

A motion to suppress evidence in the trial of the man accused of killing 6-year-old Isabel Celis and 13-year-old Maribel Gonzaleswas denied by a judge on Thursday.

According to court documents obtained by News 4 Tucson on Thursday, Clements' attorneys asked the presiding judge to suppress evidence obtained during a court-authorized live GPS tracking of the suspect's disposable T-Mobile cell phone stating this act violated Clements' "reasonable expectation of privacy and was a Fourth Amendment search which required a search warrant rather than a court order."

The court documents state that the live GPS tracking was made in connection to Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's investigation into "two related residential burglaries in late 2015," two years before Clements was suspected in the murders of the two Tucson minors.

The court documents explained that the records obtained from the tracking pinpointed MCSO to various spots in Tucson, including Clements residence in the Old Pueblo. This led to MCSO to conduct a search warrant to obtain 15 digital devices, including phones, laptops and tablet
Evidence suppression request denied in trial of man accused of killing Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzales

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Detectives recognized the Celis site as near the location where Maribel Gonzalez's remains were found. That prompted them to view Clements as a suspect in the older girl’s murder. They say they got a DNA match to Clements off Maribel Gonzalez's body.

Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini ruled the circumstances of how investigators obtained the cell phone tracking should not prevent prosecutors from using that evidence at trial.
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/tucson-child-murders-key-evidence-allowed

http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/aacc/appella/1CA/SA/SA210039.pdf

 

[Seattle1]

I'm so glad that the Judge ruled in favor of allowing the GPS/phone evidence obtained under a court order which was the law on the books at that time. I think this ruling is probably more critical to MG's case.

Clements led investigators to Celis' remains but did not admit to killing her.

Clements defense fought for separate trials so the accused can testify in his own defense. We know that's never going to happen.....

MOO

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Yeah, I’m gonna have to pray for forgiveness tonight cause when I read your post, I thought to myself “I hate him!”

You're not alone.

When such evil is allowed to even breathe air after what they have done especially to innocent children seems so unfair because it IS.

If convicted I hope he's put in general population for the rest of his evil worthless life.

Jmho

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Detectives recognized the Celis site as near the location where Maribel Gonzalez's remains were found. That prompted them to view Clements as a suspect in the older girl’s murder. They say they got a DNA match to Clements off Maribel Gonzalez's body.

Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini ruled the circumstances of how investigators obtained the cell phone tracking should not prevent prosecutors from using that evidence at trial.
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/tucson-child-murders-key-evidence-allowed

http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/aacc/appella/1CA/SA/SA210039.pdf

In the end little Isa was able to speak from the grave to tell everyone 'please help M because he murdered her too.'

Jmho

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, May 25th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (re Fraud & Burglary/Theft) for both (@ 8:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (April 21, 2012, Tucson, found Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) & Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) (June 4, 2014, Tucson, found June 6, 2014, id’ed June 20, 2014) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (36/now 39) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned (9/24/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of kidnapping a minor under 15, 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary, 1 count of theft by controlling stolen property, 1 count of trafficking in stolen property & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will seek DP.
Fraud & Burglary trial set to begin on 6/8/21. Murder trial set to begin on 1/11/22.
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 8/23/19 to 2/17/21 reference post #227 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Mercedes Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 8/23/19 to 2/17/21 reference post #107 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
2/18/21 Update: Hearing was held. Next evidentiary hearing on 2/22 @ 1:30pm & 2/23/21 @ 3pm. 2/22/21 Update: Next evidentiary hearing on 2/23/21 & pretrial hearing on 5/25/21.
2/23/21 Update: Hearing was reset. Next pretrial conference hearing on 5/25/21.
Co-Defendant on Maricopa County case:
*Melissa Stark (29 @ time of crime/now 32) charged (10/28/17), indicted (10/4/17 & 11/10/18) & arraigned (11/13/17 & 2/1/18) with 2nd degree fraud, 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary & 1 count of 3rd degree theft. Plead not guilty.
Trial set to begin on 6/8/21.
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 8/23/19 to 2/17/21 reference post #227 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Mercedes Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 8/23/19 to 2/17/21 reference post #107 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
2/18/21 Update: Hearing was held. Next evidentiary hearing on 2/22 & 2/23/21. 2/22/21 Update: Next evidentiary hearing on 2/23/21 & pretrial hearing on 5/25/21.
2/23/21 Update: Hearing was reset. Next pretrial conference hearing on 5/25/21.

 

[Niner]

Clements & Stark - Fraud & Burglary:

Docket:
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
5/25/2021 MCO - Motion To Continue - Party (002) 5/25/2021
NOTE: STATE'S MOTION TO CONTINUE

5/25/2021 MCO - Motion To Continue - Party (001) 5/25/2021
NOTE: STATE'S MOTION TO CONTINUE


Hearings:
5/25/2021 11:30 Pre-Trial Conference

6/8/2021 11:00 Trial - Continued

7/13/2021 8:30 Status Conference

8/12/2021 8:30 Pre-Trial Conference

8/26/2021 9:00 Trial

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, June 9th:
*Motions Hearing (Day 1 of 2) (re Murder) (@ 10am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (April 21, 2012, Tucson, found Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) & Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) (June 4, 2014, Tucson, found June 6, 2014, id’ed June 20, 2014) – for *Christopher Matthew Clements (36/now 38) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & charged & arraigned (9/24/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of kidnapping a minor under 15, 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary, 1 count of theft by controlling stolen property, 1 count of trafficking in stolen property & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial was set to begin on 7/27/21 with jury selection & was continued to 1/11/22. Trial will be on Tuesdays thru Fridays.
Trial (for Burglary/fraud) was set to begin on 6/8/21 continued to 8/26/21.
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 9/15/18 to 3/31/21 reference post #242 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Mercedes Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 9/15/18 to 3/31/21 reference post #114 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
4/7/21 Update: DA has filed State’s Notice to withdraw the death penalty. Motions hearings have been rescheduled from 4/14 thru 4/16/21 & status hearing on 5/10/21. 4/14/21 Update: Murder: Motions hearing continues on 4/15/21. 4/15/21 Update: Motions hearing continues to 4/16/21.
4/16/21 Update: Clements' attorneys asked the presiding judge to suppress evidence obtained during a court-authorized live GPS tracking of the suspect's disposable T-Mobile cell phone stating this act violated Clements' "reasonable expectation of privacy & was a Fourth Amendment search which required a search warrant rather than a court order." The court documents state that the live GPS tracking was made in connection to Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's investigation into "two related residential burglaries in late 2015," two years before Clements was suspected in the murders of the two Tucson minors. Detectives recognized the Celis site as near the location where Maribel Gonzalez's remains were found. That prompted them to view Clements as a suspect in the older girl’s murder. They say they got a DNA match to Clements off Maribel's body. Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini ruled the circumstances of how investigators obtained the cell phone tracking should not prevent prosecutors from using that evidence at trial. Motion for trial continuance-granted. Next motions hearings on 6/9/21 & 6/10/21 & trial is now scheduled to begin on 1/11/22.
Co-Defendant on Maricopa County case:
*Melissa Stark (29 @ time of crime/now 33) – Fraud/Burglary case – Status conference hearing on 7/13/21. Pretrial conference hearing on 8/12/21 & trial to begin on 8/26/21.