I guess we're never going to hear about the origins of those stray pubic hairs?

That's all she wrote, boys and girls. Michael and Tina Careccia, both had amphetamines and methamphetamine in their systems, according to autopsy and toxicology reports. The toxicology report also showed Tina Careccia had tranquilizers and sleeping pills in her system and both she and her husband had traces of alcohol. I guess we're never going to hear about the origins of those stray pubic hairs, taken into evidence. Was Tina "trading" (sex) for meth? I would have not been surprised. Stay off drugs! 

Valenzuela takes plea deal in double-murder case

With his life on the line, the accused murderer of a Maricopa couple has signed a plea agreement rather than go to trial. Jose Ignacio Valenzuela, now 42, has been behind bars since the summer of 2015, charged with the homicides of husband-and-wife Tina and Michael Careccia. It was being prosecuted as a capital case and would have gone to trial Sept. 10. Had a jury found him guilty, he could have faced the death penalty. InMaricopa

Double murder suspect has lengthy criminal record

The couple's bodies were found buried in a grave Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said measured six feet deep. The home is owned by Valenzuela's father and is located at 50669 West Papago Road in Maricopa, records show. 12News

The possibility of dying of old age, while awaiting your death penalty trial

Those juror summons keep coming and going. I'm sure Pinal County spends a small fortune in postage, only to tell hundreds of potential jurors not to report. Frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of making time available, only to make that call at 6:00 pm Monday night... and all for nothing. 

Valenzuela defense seeks 15-month delay in murder trial

“Our defense team has met about once a week to get me updated and to update everyone else. Everyone’s taken on certain tasks so we are working this as quickly as possible,” Falduto said. “There’s a lot of amount of discovery, and I think some of the experts that we have spoken with are going to be key to putting forth our defense.” More

Meanwhile, the rest of us plantation serfs are busy trying to pay for water, only fit for taking a dump and flushing down the toilet. Of course, things aren't that much better, here... in the Thunderbird Farms Improvement District. Keep watching those hands and sticky fingers that are constantly reaching for the cookie jar.

Chris Johnson unsure what happens to millions diverted by Johnson Utilities

Chris Johnson was able to remember with certainty that he is paid a $120,000 salary by Hunt Management, and that he has had no conversations about Johnson Utilities with his father since the latter was forced to step down as manager due to an FBI investigation into possible schemes of bribery at the Arizona Corporation Commission. More

Imagine hearing the "Final Jeopardy" theme music, forever?

Just recently, I dropped off another juror questionnaire and am awaiting that demand to appear notice to arrive in my mail. Bear in mind, it doesn't make much sense to pursue the death penalty in a state that has not executed anyone, since October 2013. The likelihood of future executions are on hold, indefinitely. Pinal County and the State of Arizona should think of the taxpayers, first. 

Trial delayed in 2015 Maricopa double-murder case

No plea agreement was reached, as expected by James Mannato, one of Valenzuela’s attorneys. He said more time is needed to try and negotiate with the state. It’s possible the case could be resolved without going to trial, he added. The parties may set a new trial date for Valenzuela at his next court date in late January. Maricopa Monitor

Special prosecutor selected by Navajo County for two murder cases in Pinal

Navajo County was asked to step in and take over prosecution of Jose Ignacio Valenzuela and Arturo Jimenez after it was determined that the election of County Attorney Kent Volkmer created apparent conflicts of interest in a number of matters. Volkmer, a defense attorney prior to his election, or one of his former law partners was involved in the representation of some defendants whose cases are being heard in Pinal County Superior Court; in the Valenzuela case, Volkmer had been representing the defendant’s son, according to prosecutor Vince Goddard at a hearing in January. Maricopa Monitor

Defense Attorney: Client had no motive to kill the victims. Don't buy it.

One doesn't actually need a motive to commit murder. Remember, we're not watching "Murder She Wrote" or some other fictional TV nonsense. This is the real world. The best thing that can happen to the taxpayers of Pinal County would be Jose Valenzuela falling down some stairs and breaking his neck in jail. A wrongful death settlement would still be cheaper, than this sure to be circus trial, followed by decades of appeals.

Attorneys in Maricopa double-murder case squabble about talking to the press

Gary Husk, the Navajo County prosecutor assigned to litigate Jose Valenzuela, whose accused of murdering a Maricopa couple two years ago, took issue with comments the defendant's lawyer recently made to PinalCentral and the Casa Grande Dispatch. Maricopa Monitor

Locals shocked by gruesome details

One woman, who declined to give her name, said the details of the case have made her afraid to continue living in the neighborhood. Drugs, crime and strange activity, like stolen gas from her vehicles in the previous month, have put her on edge. “Someone needs to do something about this area,” she said. The woman said she plans on packing up and moving soon. CG Dispatch

Michael and Tina Careccia update:

Judge sets trial date for Valenzuela in double-murder

In a court hearing Friday morning, that trial on two charges of first-degree murder was tentatively set to begin Jan. 23, 2018, at 9 a.m. in Judge Kevin White’s courtroom in Pinal County Superior Court.

Valenzuela, now 39, had to be indicted twice and the state had to twice file notice of its intent to seek the death penalty. Pinal County Public Defender James Mannato successfully had the July 8, 2015, indictment tossed after it was determined information not in evidence had been presented to the Grand Jury. InMaricopa

Michael and Tina Careccia update:

Careccia case remanded back to grand jury

Florence, AZ: A status review in the case was held on Tuesday at the Pinal County Superior Courthouse. Valenzuela’s attorney, Public Defender James Mannato, argued the case – in which the state seeks the death penalty – should be remanded back to the grand jury due to misleading testimony in the initial grand jury proceedings on July 8, 2015.

Mannato said the state almost always argues against such a motion; however, prosecutor Chris Ward of the Pinal County Attorney’s Office told Judge Kevin White the state voluntarily agreed to remand the case back to a new grand jury. Maricopa Monitor

Meanwhile, we continue to experience vandalism, thievery and other assorted Ditch Cricket shenanigans in the Thunderbird Farms area, following the departure of our winter visitors, from up north. While enjoying the outdoors and my photography hobby, we hooked an alleged wire thief. This subject made little or no attempt to conceal his activities. Theft, arson and vandalism have plagued my neighborhood, for a ling time.

Michael and Tina Careccia update:

Michael and Tina Careccia update: Pinal County seeking death penalty in Maricopa murder case

Pinal County's top prosecutor has filed notice that he'll seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing a Maricopa couple last year and burying their bodies. County Attorney Lando Voyles cites multiple aggravating factors in the case against Jose Ignacio Valenzuela. ABC15

Suspect is detained, on I.C.E. hold, without bail. They're just here for a better life and... "Diversity is our strength."

Mesa PD: Bound child found in bag of feces 'shocks the soul'

The 3-year-old child, who had allegedly been offered up for sex, was rescued Monday after authorities found her in a trash bag surrounded by feces in a closet. She was also malnourished. "The suspect wanted to have sex with other people and said he put the child in the closet because she was too loud," officers said. 3TV

Mike & Tina: A stray pubic hair has the huge potential of opening a new can of worms

Let's not forget that the Careccia family swore up and down that their little innocent angel did not engage in illegal drug use. The medical examiner proved that to be incorrect. Now, we seem to have this stray pubic hair. Will this reveal something else? Perhaps, Tina was engaged is sexual relations with Jose Valenzuela. As the plot thickens, I'll be looking forward to the trial.

One hair could play part in double-murder case

Mannato continues to put together a challenge to the Grand Jury proceedings, saying some things or motives may have been put in front of the jurors that were not in evidence. He has until Nov. 9 to file that challenge.

The Careccias were shot to death, according to the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office, which also found methamphatamine and amphetamines in the Careccias’ systems. The arraignment in the double-murder case was in July before Judge Dwight Callahan, who had issued an order allowing the case to be televised. Monday, White was asked to clarify that order. InMaricopa

Will there be criminal charges for Felix Rios Nunez? Pinal County Attorney?

Following the exhaustive search and ultimate discovery of the bodies of Mike and Tina Careccia, lots of people whistled past the graveyard, while talking about a "strong community." This would be laughable, if it weren't so pathetic. There are individuals and groups, who are strong, however, they are not in the majority. It would appear that Felix Rios Nunez witnessed a murder, didn't report it and went on with his sorry excuse for a life, while the entire neighborhood spent more than a week searching for the Careccia's. 

I'm not surprised that kind of skulduggery goes down, when plenty of people shop at the Farmer's Convenience Store, while they support the cartel scouts coming into their store wearing camouflage, head to toe. Nor do they seem to have a problem with the melon pickers pissing in their parking lot, as long as six packs of malt liquor get sold. My point is people think a community is "sending prayers" and closing your eyes to criminal shenanigans, like the bicycle crew openly casing our homes. When you see something, DO something.

Felix Rios Nunez, a friend and housemate of Valenzuela, told investigators he was awakened by the sound of gunfire, according to court documents. Nunez said he saw a wounded Michael Careccia using a chair to try and get up and Valenzuela pointing a gun at Tina Careccia, who was on the floor. Nunez said he fled in fear after Valenzuela refused to give him the gun and pushed him. ABC15