Found Deceased AZ - Isabella Grogan-Cannella, 8, Bullhead City, 2 September 2014 *Arrest* - #5

[MsMarple]

Here are the contents of and the link to the handwritten note from Rector. I tried to keep it pretty much as written:
/begin
1 - 18 - 19
Sir...
I believe I have an issue regarding a manifest injustice and for that reason I'm requesting to be allowed to withdray from the plea. Because I would not have signed knowing of this...

Our legal contact here at the jail (Officer Cowin) provided me with a definition of "Manifest Injustice"

"Manifest Injustice means something which is 'obviously unfair' or 'shocking to the conscience'. It refers to an unfairness that is direct, obvious, and observable."

I believe this has been done to me. Let me explain...

I was visited by Rennee DeSaye (who is my mitigation specialist) on 1 - 16 - 19 and she provided me with a mitigation report that includes a list of (negative) forensic evidence test results (that I believe would win my case) that we never seen before.

Rennee told me she has e - mails from Julia Cassels (my attorny (sic)) telling Rennee to withhold this report from me.

Rennee told me she also has e - mails of her discussing this with Quinn Jolly (previous attorney)

This is just a basic explination (sic) due to lack of paper space...

But I believe that
1) Evidence that proves my inicence (sic) was withheld from me for 4 years and 4 months

2) I didn't learn of this till I was falsely led to believe I would lose in trial.

3) I didn't learn of this till after I fired counsel and signed a plea

4) (most importantly) - Evidence that proves my inicence (sic) was intentionaly (sic and bolded) withheld from me by my attorney

I believe these 4 facts is an unfairness that is direct, obvious, and observable.

I believe this is reasonable enough to allow me to be able to withdraw from this plea and that is what I'm requesting.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

- Justin Rector
/end
https://www.mohavecourts.com/highprofile/Rector/1193 - CourtOrder01232019.pdf
Judicial Branch of Arizona - County of Mohave

So... why would Rector's own attorney (J. Cassels) tell the mitigation specialist to withhold exculpatory evidence from him? And what forensic tests were negative and did they have any bearing on the case?

Something's off... MOO. The motion is supposed to be heard this coming Monday (January 28).

 

[MsFacetious]

A March 4 evidentiary hearing has been set for a man awaiting sentencing in the death of an 8-year-old Bullhead City girl.

At a hearing Monday in Kingman, a Mohave County Superior Court judge vacated the judgment and sentencing of Justin James Rector that were scheduled for Wednesday.

Evidentiary hearing set for man accused of killing AZ girl


“My position probably at this point is going to be that we’re probably going to need to have an evidentiary hearing,” said prosecutor Greg McPhillips. “There are some fairly specific claims that were made in the letter. I think we probably ought to know what those claims are.”

He said even if Rector’s claims are true, the state would take the position that Rector should not be let out of the plea agreement. McPhillips said those claims, even if true, are not exculpatory, which means favorable to the defendant. However, Judge Jantzen said he would need to make that determination for himself.

Rector’s judgement and sentencing scheduled for Wednesday was vacated. An evidentiary hearing in Rector’s case is now set for 9 a.m. March 4.

Rector sentencing vacated, judge sets evidentiary hearing


Last Friday, Rector sent another letter to Jantzen asking to withdraw his request to represent himself, admitting that it was a “bad idea” and asked for a new attorney and to continue Monday’s evidentiary hearing on several defense motions.

Judge approves new attorney for accused child-killer


The judge also vacated Monday’s evidentiary hearing and reset the evidentiary hearing on Rector’s motions for April 19. The judge also vacated a jury trial previously set for April 29, and set a status hearing for March 27.

Judge approves new attorney for accused child-killer

 

[MsFacetious]

Kaiser said he would not be ready for an evidentiary hearing on Rector’s motions set for April 19. The defense attorney has been on the case for two weeks and only recently started going through nine boxes of files and audio tapes.

Kaiser also said he has concerns about Rector’s ability to represent himself in accepting a plea agreement. The attorney asked for at least 60-day continuance of the evidentiary hearing.

Deputy Mohave County Attorney Greg McPhillips said he would be cross-examining Rector’s previous attorneys, who will come from different locations, so he expects the evidentiary hearing to go several days. The prosecutor also said the victims have expressed frustration by the repeated delays in the murder case.

Jantzen vacated the evidentiary hearing and reset it for July 11 and 12. The judge also set another status hearing for May 17.

With new attorney on board, Rector case faces more delays

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Just checking in to see what was happening with the evidentiary hearing. This is all so disappointing. This has gone on way to long.

Isabella needed justice at least a year ago.

 

[Knox]

A March 4 evidentiary hearing has been set for a man awaiting sentencing in the death of an 8-year-old Bullhead City girl.

At a hearing Monday in Kingman, a Mohave County Superior Court judge vacated the judgment and sentencing of Justin James Rector that were scheduled for Wednesday.

Evidentiary hearing set for man accused of killing AZ girl


“My position probably at this point is going to be that we’re probably going to need to have an evidentiary hearing,” said prosecutor Greg McPhillips. “There are some fairly specific claims that were made in the letter. I think we probably ought to know what those claims are.”

He said even if Rector’s claims are true, the state would take the position that Rector should not be let out of the plea agreement. McPhillips said those claims, even if true, are not exculpatory, which means favorable to the defendant. However, Judge Jantzen said he would need to make that determination for himself.

Rector’s judgement and sentencing scheduled for Wednesday was vacated. An evidentiary hearing in Rector’s case is now set for 9 a.m. March 4.

Rector sentencing vacated, judge sets evidentiary hearing


Last Friday, Rector sent another letter to Jantzen asking to withdraw his request to represent himself, admitting that it was a “bad idea” and asked for a new attorney and to continue Monday’s evidentiary hearing on several defense motions.

Judge approves new attorney for accused child-killer


The judge also vacated Monday’s evidentiary hearing and reset the evidentiary hearing on Rector’s motions for April 19. The judge also vacated a jury trial previously set for April 29, and set a status hearing for March 27.

Judge approves new attorney for accused child-killer

WHY is the State of Arizona letting this &^%$! yank them around. I come here hoping this circus is finally over and some measure of justice for Isabella is happening. Instead more of this carp!! Please, please just send him to prison. He'll not last long there ...

 

[MsMarple]

A bizarre kite from Rector was sent on June 5:

"If you don't let me out of the plea I respectfully request to be sentences (sic) on the 12 of July if there is time. Everyone will be there on both sides if not then I request you schedule a sentencing date as soon as possible. Please and thank you for your time and consideration."
https://www.mohavecourts.com/highprofile/Rector/1193-InmateRequestForm06102019.pdf

The court responded on June 10 stating:

"The court received a "kite" from the defendant.

IT IS ORDERED directing the Clerk to send a copy of the "kite" to all parties.

The court will address this issue if it becomes relevant in the future. The Court takes no further action."
https://www.mohavecourts.com/highprofile/Rector/1193-CourtOrder06102019.pdf

I have no idea what Rector's request means. Nothing in msm. All I know is that the case is approaching 5 years and still no action. The death penalty is off the table yet the court is dragging its butt. Shame on Judge Jantzen!!!

Tania is still in prison and is due to be released in January of 2020. Ralph Folster is in until December 2031.
Inmate Datasearch

 

[MsMarple]

Rector Gets Life!!
A Bullhead City man cried throughout a Friday hearing in Kingman before he was given a life prison term for killing his friend’s 8-year-old daughter nearly five years ago.
...
Addressing the court for nearly five minutes, Rector said he knows everyone wants answers but that details won’t change anything.

“I can’t make it better. I can’t bring her back. I’m sorry this happened,” Rector said. “Bella was innocent. Bella didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
Arizona man gets life sentence for killing girl, 8, in 2014

A Mohave County judge denied a request this week from Rector to withdraw his plea. Rector had argued his attorney withheld information and the plea was unjust.

The judge heard statements from Isabella's family Friday, remembering her smile and her ability to make people laugh.
...
A victim’s advocate read into the record a letter from Bella’s grandmother. It was submitted as if written by Bella, speaking in first person while telling the judge things about herself and how she liked to play and sing and smile.
Arizona man gets life sentence for killing girl, 8, in 2014

The bad news is that the law requires a life sentence but not LWOP. IOW, Rector can apply for parole after 35 years served. This case has been a circus and IMO Rector's defense played it well; delay, delay and delay and the client will get a big break.

At least Isabella's family can finally be done with this horrid man. I just wish he had been required to say exactly what he did to Isabella and why but I guess Arizona doesn't care. RIP Bella.

 

[Tallulah. Lakkey]

Now that he's been charged, surprise surprise they finally released all of his evidentiary that were never given by his attorneys, and it proves there's not one ounce of his DNA on, around or even near the victim. And they never bothered to look into anyone else. I have photos of the files, unfortunately I can't seem to upload anything here.

 

[bleuboy]

Now that he's been charged, surprise surprise they finally released all of his evidentiary that were never given by his attorneys, and it proves there's not one ounce of his DNA on, around or even near the victim. And they never bothered to look into anyone else. I have photos of the files, unfortunately I can't seem to upload anything here.

Where did you find the files and photos of all the evidence. I would really like to have a look at them.

 

[Tallulah. Lakkey]

Where did you find the files and photos of all the evidence. I would really like to have a look at them.

From Justin's sister

 

[MsMarple]

From the Mohave Daily News July 13, 2019:

However, Rector’s daughter also spoke about how the crime has negatively affected her family. Rector’s sister said that there has been retribution against the Rector name through social media. She maintained her brother’s innocence, arguing that there was no evidence in the case.

Rector’s older sister also said that there was no evidence or DNA and said there are crimes that happen in Bullhead City that go unreported. Rector’s father, James Rector, said he wanted justice for Bella, but that he still hadn’t seen any evidence that his son murdered her.
...
Rector tearfully spoke, saying he was sorry for what happened and how he wished he could bring Bella back. He also said that Grogan-Cannella’s mother, Tania Grogan, was a good mother who never hurt her daughters.
Rector given life sentence in murder of 8-year-old girl

From AZ Central March 11, 2015:

Police have released recordings of calls that Justin James Rector made from jail to his father and a woman, and a postcard he sent home. In them, Rector said he wants to take responsibility for his actions. He has not changed the not guilty plea he entered last year to charges of first-degree murder, child abuse, abandonment of a body and kidnapping.
...
"I don't want to wait until the proof, until DNA comes," he said in an Oct. 31 call to his father, James Rector. "I don't want to claim innocence until the evidence proves I'm lying. I want to claim guilt on my own."

Rector doesn't mention Isabella by name in the calls or discuss specifics of her death, other than to say authorities have him on camera approaching a large trash bin with a small shovel in his hand. Prosecutors have said they'll seek the death penalty against Rector but declined to comment on how his statements in the jail calls factor into the case.
Man says he wants to plead guilty in Arizona girl's killing

Rector's family seem to be a bit late in caring about him and helping him. His first arrest was at age 12.
https://www.mohavecourts.com/highprofile/Rector/1193-PreSentenceInvestigationReport07122019.pdf

Judicial Branch of Arizona - County of Mohave