Opinion ID: 1182224
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the charges against defendant

Text: On September 27, 1984, defendant was charged with kidnapping with the intent to inflict death, physical injury or a sexual offense on the victim, or to otherwise aid in the commission of a felony. See A.R.S. § 13-1304(A)(3) and (B). At the time defendant was charged with Mary's kidnapping, authorities were uncertain of the child's fate. On April 11, 1985, however  almost 7 months after Mary disappeared  a child's skeletal remains were found in the desert of northwest Tucson. Although medical examiners were unable to determine the cause of death, they were able positively to identify the child as Mary through the use of dental records. On May 15, 1985, the Pima County Grand Jury indicted defendant for first degree felony murder pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-1105. The kidnapping and murder charges were consolidated for trial.