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

[Niner]

Docket update - Burglary/Theft:

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
3/30/2022 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 3/30/2022

3/28/2022 SDD - Notice: Sealed Document - Party (001) 3/30/2022
NOTE: LETTER DATED 03/25/2022

Hearings stay the same.

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Thursday, March 31st:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (Burglary & Theft) (@ 1:30pm 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 (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 40) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (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.
Burglary/Theft trial began on 3/29/22. Trial dates: 3/31, 4/4, 4/5, 4/6, 4/7, 4/11, 4/12, 4/13, 4/14, 4/18, 4/19, 4/20 & 4/21.
Murder trial for Maribel set to begin on 4/26/22 thru 5/13/22 @ 10a (trial dates: 4/27, 4/28, 4/29, 5/3, 5/4, 5/5, 5/6, 5/10, 5/11, 5/12 & 5/13/22).
Murder trial for Isabel set to begin on 5/25/22 thru 6/16/22 @ 10a (trial dates: 5/26, 5/27, 6/1, 6/2, 6/3, 6/7, 6/8, 6/9, 6/10, 6/14, 6/15 & 6/16/22).
Fraud trial was set to begin on 2/24/22 continued to 6/30/22.
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 8/23/19 to 3/21/22 reference post #381 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 8/23/19 to 3/21/22 reference post #170 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
3/24/22 Update: Murder: Next hearing on 4/25/22 & Maribel’s trial has been reset to start on 4/26/22 thru 5/13/22. Isabel’s trial will start on 5/25/22 with a status hearing on 5/24/22. 3/29/22 Update: Fraud: Next pretrial hearing on 6/16/22. Burglary/Theft: 3/24/22: Subpoena & affidavit of service.
3/29/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 1 for Burglary/Theft: No info available. Trial continues on 3/30/22. 3/28/22: Notice sealed document: letter dated 3/25/22.
3/30/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 2 for Burglary/Theft: No info available. Trial continues on 3/31/22.
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 was set to begin on 6/8/21 continued to 8/26/21 was vacated as she plead guilty with a plea deal on 6/4/21 to 2nd degree fraud & DA dismissed the 3rd degree theft & 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary. Sentencing was supposed to be in September. Release order (11/30/21) own recognizance for Stark. No updates as of 1/31/22.

 

[Niner]

Burglary/Theft docket update:

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
3/31/2022 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 3/31/2022

3/31/2022 023 - ME: Order Entered By Court - Party (001) 3/31/2022


Hearings:
3/31/2022 10:30 Trial

4/4/2022 10:30 Trial

thru

4/21/2022 10:30 Trial

5/12/2022 9:00 Sentencing

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Monday, April 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (Burglary & Theft) (@ 1:30pm 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 (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 40) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (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.
Burglary/Theft trial began on 3/29/22. Trial dates: 4/4, 4/5, 4/6, 4/7, 4/11, 4/12, 4/13, 4/14, 4/18, 4/19, 4/20 & 4/21.
Murder trial for Maribel set to begin on 4/26/22 thru 5/13/22 @ 10a (trial dates: 4/27, 4/28, 4/29, 5/3, 5/4, 5/5, 5/6, 5/10, 5/11, 5/12 & 5/13/22).
Murder trial for Isabel set to begin on 5/25/22 thru 6/16/22 @ 10a (trial dates: 5/26, 5/27, 6/1, 6/2, 6/3, 6/7, 6/8, 6/9, 6/10, 6/14, 6/15 & 6/16/22).
Fraud trial was set to begin on 2/24/22 continued to 6/30/22.
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 8/23/19 to 3/21/22 & Trial Days 1-2 (3/29 to 3/30/22) for burglary/theft reference post #383 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 8/23/19 to 3/21/22 & Trial Days 1-2 (3/29 to 3/30/22) for burglary/theft reference post #172 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
3/24/22 Update: Murder: Next hearing on 4/25/22 & Maribel’s trial has been reset to start on 4/26/22 thru 5/13/22. Isabel’s trial will start on 5/25/22 with a status hearing on 5/24/22. 3/29/22 Update: Fraud: Next pretrial hearing on 6/16/22. Burglary/Theft: 3/24/22: Subpoena & affidavit of service.
3/31/22 Thursday, Trial Day 3 for Burglary/Theft: No info available. Trial continues on 4/4/22.
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 was set to begin on 6/8/21 continued to 8/26/21 was vacated as she plead guilty with a plea deal on 6/4/21 to 2nd degree fraud & DA dismissed the 3rd degree theft & 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary. Sentencing was supposed to be in September. Release order (11/30/21) own recognizance for Stark. No updates as of 1/31/22.

 

[waterslyd]

Why would they temporarily unseal his plea documents?

 

[Niner]

Docket - Burglary/Theft:
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
4/4/2022 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 4/4/2022

4/1/2022 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 4/1/2022

Hearings:
4/4/2022 10:30 Trial

4/5/2022 10:30 Trial

rest stay the same.

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, April 5th:
*Trial continues (Day 5) (Burglary & Theft) (@ 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 (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 40) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (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.
Burglary/Theft trial began on 3/29/22. Trial dates: 4/5, 4/6 (@ 1:30p), 4/7, 4/11, 4/12, 4/13 (@ 1:30p), 4/14, 4/18, 4/19, 4/20 (@ 1:30p) & 4/21.
Murder trial for Maribel set to begin on 4/26/22 thru 5/13/22 @ 10a (trial dates: 4/27, 4/28, 4/29, 5/3, 5/4, 5/5, 5/6, 5/10, 5/11, 5/12 & 5/13/22).
Murder trial for Isabel set to begin on 5/25/22 thru 6/16/22 @ 10a (trial dates: 5/26, 5/27, 6/1, 6/2, 6/3, 6/7, 6/8, 6/9, 6/10, 6/14, 6/15 & 6/16/22).
Fraud trial set to begin on 6/30/22.
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 8/23/19 to 3/21/22 & Trial Days 1-3 (3/29 to 3/31/22) for burglary/theft reference post #385 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 8/23/19 to 3/21/22 & Trial Days 1-3 (3/29 to 3/31/22) for burglary/theft reference post #174 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
3/24/22 Update: Murder: Next hearing on 4/25/22 & Maribel’s trial has been reset to start on 4/26/22 thru 5/13/22. Isabel’s trial will start on 5/25/22 with a status hearing on 5/24/22. 3/29/22 Update: Fraud: Next pretrial hearing on 6/16/22. Burglary/Theft: 3/24/22: Subpoena & affidavit of service.
4/4/22 Monday, Trial Day 4 for Burglary/Theft: No info available. Trial continues on 4/5/22.
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 was set to begin on 6/8/21 continued to 8/26/21 was vacated as she plead guilty with a plea deal on 6/4/21 to 2nd degree fraud & DA dismissed the 3rd degree theft & 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary. Sentencing was supposed to be in September. Release order (11/30/21) own recognizance for Stark. No updates as of 1/31/22.

 

[Seattle1]

12/17/21 ONLY ON KOLD: FBI interrogation videos show deal accused child killer tried to make with special agents

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - The KOLD Investigates Team obtained new video of the man accused of killing two Tucson girls.

The videos, that were recorded in 2017, show the negotiation Christopher Clements made with the FBI.

That deal led to the discovery of Isabel Celis’ remains, a six-year-old who went missing from her home in April 2012.

[..]

While in Pima County, Clements negotiated to have his burglary charges dropped and his car released from law enforcement in exchange for the location of Isabel Celis’ remains.

But Clements was far from being a free man.

While the Pima County Attorney’s office held up their end of the bargain, Clements was transferred to the Maricopa County Jail where he faced separate burglary charges.

In hopes of getting out of jail, Clements told the FBI he had more information in the Celis case, including the location of a key piece of evidence.

[..]

You can listen to more of Clements’ interviews with the FBI on our original podcast, Disappeared in the Desert.

New episodes come out every Friday.

It’s available on SoundCloud, Apple and Google podcasts, and Spotify.

 

[Niner]

Docket for Burglary/Theft:

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
4/5/2022 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 4/5/2022

4/4/2022 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 4/4/2022

Hearings:
4/5/2022 10:30 Trial

4/6/2022 13:30 Trial

rest are same as before.

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, April 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (Burglary & Theft) (@ 1:30pm 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 (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 40) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (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.
Burglary/Theft trial began on 3/29/22. Trial dates: 4/6 (@ 1:30p), 4/7, 4/11, 4/12, 4/13 (@ 1:30p), 4/14, 4/18, 4/19, 4/20 (@ 1:30p) & 4/21.
Murder trial for Maribel set to begin on 4/26/22 thru 5/13/22 @ 10a (trial dates: 4/27, 4/28, 4/29, 5/3, 5/4, 5/5, 5/6, 5/10, 5/11, 5/12 & 5/13/22).
Murder trial for Isabel set to begin on 5/25/22 thru 6/16/22 @ 10a (trial dates: 5/26, 5/27, 6/1, 6/2, 6/3, 6/7, 6/8, 6/9, 6/10, 6/14, 6/15 & 6/16/22).
Fraud trial set to begin on 6/30/22.
Court hearings for Isabel Celis from 8/23/19 to 3/21/22 & Trial Days 1-4 (3/29 to 4/4/22) for burglary/theft reference post #389 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Isabel Celis, 6, Tucson, 20 April 2012 *Arrest* #27
Court hearings for Maribel Gonzales from 8/23/19 to 3/21/22 & Trial Days 1-4 (3/29 to 4/4/22) for burglary/theft reference post #176 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Maribel Gonzales, 13, Tucson, 3 June 2014 *Arrest*
3/24/22 Update: Murder: Next hearing on 4/25/22 & Maribel’s trial has been reset to start on 4/26/22 thru 5/13/22. Isabel’s trial will start on 5/25/22 with a status hearing on 5/24/22. 3/29/22 Update: Fraud: Next pretrial hearing on 6/16/22. Burglary/Theft: 3/24/22: Subpoena & affidavit of service.
4/5/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 5 for Burglary/Theft: No info available. Trial continues on 4/6/22.
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 was set to begin on 6/8/21 continued to 8/26/21 was vacated as she plead guilty with a plea deal on 6/4/21 to 2nd degree fraud & DA dismissed the 3rd degree theft & 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary. Sentencing was supposed to be in September. Release order (11/30/21) own recognizance for Stark. No updates as of 1/31/22.

 

[PayrollNerd]

CR20183978
CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER

I had to search on his name and it looks like the dates on the calendar are different than what they were a few weeks ago.

View attachment 337924

http://extrep.sc.pima.gov/default.aspx?startDate=3/27/2022&endDate=5/25/2022&caseNumber=&partyName=CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER&judge=&bench=&charge=&onlyJury=False&Format=PDF&courtRoom=&attorneyName=

CR20183978
CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER

I pulled his calendar again just now and it only had 3 dates on it.



ETA: http://extrep.sc.pima.gov/default.a...ury=False&Format=PDF&courtRoom=&attorneyName=

 

[Seattle1]

CR20183978
CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER

I pulled his calendar again just now and it only had 3 dates on it.

View attachment 339168

I'm so anxious for the murder trial -- April 20 will be 10 years!

 

[Seattle1]

Judge: No cameras allowed in trial of man accused of killing Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzalez

2/1/22

TUCSON (KVOA) - Cameras will not be allowed inside the courtroom during the trial of the man accused of murdering Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzales, following a judge's ruling that officially went into effect Monday.

Christopher Clements, who is accused of killing 6-year-old Celis in 2012 and 13-year-old Gonzalez two years later, will begin the first of two trials in April.

On Monday morning, Judge Deborah Bernini said she would not allow video coverage of the upcoming trial.

[..]

As the trial needs a continuance twice, the judge says the ruling was made in order to summon more jurors and make sure Clements is afforded due process. Monday's ruling was also made with concern for Clements' safety.

The judge also noted her decision to have no cameras in the courtroom was made to help accommodate the limited space in the courtroom due to COVID-19 protocols.

Each victim's case is being tried separately.

 

[Seattle1]

Clements prepares for trial 5 years after Isabel Celis' remains were found

4/1/22

TUCSON (KVOA) - It is a case that has shocked our community and justice has yet to be served.

This week marks five years since Tucson police announced that the remains of Isabel Celis had been found in a remote desert area Northwest of Tucson.

[..]

In September 2018, Clements' was indicted on two counts each of first-degree murder, and kidnaping.

The cases of the two girls' killings have been severed. This means Clements will face two separate trials.

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover has already taken the death penalty off the table, if he is convicted.

Clements' trial for Isabel's murder is set to begin May 24, and is scheduled to last for up to two weeks.

Due to the massive publicity in the case.

A judge ruled earlier this year that cameras will *not* be allowed inside the courtroom.

 

[katydid23]

I'm so anxious for the murder trial -- April 20 will be 10 years!

Help me make sense of this-----Did Clements really agree to take LE to a murdered child's remains, in exchange for them dropping burglary charges and returning his vehicle to him?

Is he the biggest idiot ever?

 

[Kittybunny]

Clements prepares for trial 5 years after Isabel Celis' remains were found

4/1/22

TUCSON (KVOA) - It is a case that has shocked our community and justice has yet to be served.

This week marks five years since Tucson police announced that the remains of Isabel Celis had been found in a remote desert area Northwest of Tucson.

[..]

In September 2018, Clements' was indicted on two counts each of first-degree murder, and kidnaping.

The cases of the two girls' killings have been severed. This means Clements will face two separate trials.

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover has already taken the death penalty off the table, if he is convicted.

Clements' trial for Isabel's murder is set to begin May 24, and is scheduled to last for up to two weeks.

Due to the massive publicity in the case.

A judge ruled earlier this year that cameras will *not* be allowed inside the courtroom.

Wow, it has been so long that I did not realize that this case has not even gone to trial yet.

Justice for Isabel!

 

[Kittybunny]

Help me make sense of this-----Did Clements really agree to take LE to a murdered child's remains, in exchange for them dropping burglary charges and returning his vehicle to him?

Is he the biggest idiot ever?

I know, right?!?! It's crazy!

 

[Niner]

CR20183978
CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER

I pulled his calendar again just now and it only had 3 dates on it.

View attachment 339168

ETA: http://extrep.sc.pima.gov/default.aspx?startDate=3/27/2022&endDate=5/25/2022&caseNumber=&partyName=CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER&judge=&bench=&charge=&onlyJury=False&Format=PDF&courtRoom=&attorneyName=

So - guessing the 4/25/22 hearing is not going to happen?

 

[Seattle1]

Help me make sense of this-----Did Clements really agree to take LE to a murdered child's remains, in exchange for them dropping burglary charges and returning his vehicle to him?

Is he the biggest idiot ever?

Absolutely -- he exchanged Isa's location for his car returned to his girlfriend (and burglary charge dropped). Besides being obsessed with Acura's -- I think Clements believed there might be evidence in this vehicle that would incriminate him. An IDIOT indeed!

ETA: Sadly, Maribel's body was located in 2014, only days after she was reported missing -- and only feet away Isa's remains (since 2012). I believe Isa's case suffered when authorities had tunnel vision wanting to implicate her parents for her death. MOO

 

[Warwick7]

Absolutely -- he exchanged Isa's location for his car returned to his girlfriend (and burglary charge dropped). Besides being obsessed with Acura's -- I think Clements believed there might be evidence in this vehicle that would incriminate him. An IDIOT indeed!

ETA: Sadly, Maribel's body was located in 2014, only days after she was reported missing -- and only feet away Isa's remains (since 2012). I believe Isa's case suffered when authorities had tunnel vision wanting to implicate her parents for her death. MOO

I agree.
However, what ever happened to that supposed video of Isabel's father in a local pawnshop that Clements implied would help with the investigation??
I haven't kept up on this case like before...