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

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Well - not finding any articles on yesterday's trial (Day 2)...

Friday, February 9th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 42) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates).
Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/5/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Trial began on 2/6/24 with jury selection. Done. Trial began on 2/7/24. Court in session Tuesdays thru Fridays. 2/9/24, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/16, 2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1 & 3/5/24.
Judge James Marner presiding. Prosecutor Tracy Miller & defense attorney Eric Kessler.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 12/20/23 & Jury Selection (2/6/24) & Trial Day 1 (2/7/24) reference post #737 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-37
2/8/24 Thursday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Sergio Celis, father. Back on stand for cross exam. No other info available. Trial continues on Friday, 2/9/24.
 
katydid23 said:
"Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal."

How did it end with one person voting acquittal? I hope they figure it out before they try the next case.
Click to expand...
Seven hours doesn't seem very long for deliberations. Is it unusual to call a mistrial after only 7 hours?
 
GoBuckeyes said:
Seven hours doesn't seem very long for deliberations. Is it unusual to call a mistrial after only 7 hours?
Click to expand...
No, it doesn't seem long enough to come to that conclusion. I guess that one juror must have been adamant or super stubborn and the judge was convinced it was no longer possible to deliberate. Unfortunately.
 
Still not finding anything from Thursday onward.

Tuesday, February 13th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 42) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates). Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Trial began on 2/6/24 with jury selection. Done. Trial began on 2/7/24. Court in session Tuesdays thru Fridays. 2/13/24, 2/14, 2/15, 2/16, 2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1 & 3/5/24.
Judge James Marner presiding. Prosecutor Tracy Miller & defense attorney Eric Kessler.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 12/20/23 & Jury Selection (2/6/24) & Trial Day 1 (2/7/24) reference post #737 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-37
2/8/24 Thursday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Sergio Celis, father. Back on stand for cross exam. No further info available. Trial continues on 2/9/24.
2/9/24 Friday, Trial Day 3: State witnesses: No info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 2/13/24.
 
Wednesday, February 14th:
*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 42) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates). 1 juror was excused on 2/8/24.
Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Trial began on 2/6/24 with jury selection. Done. Trial began on 2/7/24. Court in session Tuesdays thru Fridays. 2/14/24, 2/15, 2/16, 2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1 & 3/5/24. Trial will be from 2/6/24 thru 3/5/24.
Judge James Marner presiding. Prosecutor Tracy Miller & defense attorney Eric Kessler.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 12/20/23 & Jury Selection (2/6/24) & Trial Day 1 (2/7/24) reference post #737 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-37
2/8/24 Thursday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Sergio Celis, father. Back on stand for cross exam. Sergio Miguel, brother. Becky Celis, mother. The judge excused one of the jurors Thursday because of transportation issues. Judge James Marner bought that juror a Lyft or Uber home. Trial continues on 2/9/24.
2/9/24 Friday, Trial Day 3: State witnesses: Becky Celis, mother back on stand. Tucson Police Detective (no name given). Trial continues on Tuesday, 2/13/24.
2/13/24 Tuesday, Trial Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Wednesday, 2/14/24.
For more info see post #745 (articles) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
 
Thursday, February 15th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 42) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates).
Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Trial began on 2/6/24 with jury selection. Done. Trial began on 2/7/24. Court in session Tuesdays thru Fridays. 2/15/24, 2/16, 2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1 & 3/5/24. Trial will be from 2/6/24 thru 3/5/24.
Judge James Marner presiding. Prosecutor Tracy Miller & defense attorney Eric Kessler.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 12/20/23 & Jury Selection (2/6/24) & Trial Day 1-3 (2/7-2/9/24) reference post #746 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
2/13/24 Tuesday, Trial Day 4: State witnesses: FBI Agent (no name given). TPD detective (no name given). Trial continues on Wednesday, 2/14/24.
For more info see post #747 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
2/14/24 Wednesday, Trial Day 5: No info available. Trial continues on Thursday, 2/15/24.
 
www.kold.com

Phone calls, car washes and an ex enter Clements’ murder trial

An ex-girlfriend of Christopher Clements testified about meeting him the night Isabel Celis went missing.
www.kold.com www.kold.com

Feb. 16, 2024

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The woman who saw Christopher Clements the night Isabel Celis went missing took the stand during his retrial on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Karina Rivera was already an ex-girlfriend of Clements by April 2012 but remained in contact with him and needed him to give her a ride the night 6-year-old Isabel went missing.
 
Friday, February 16th:
*Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 42) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates).
Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Trial began on 2/6/24 with jury selection. Done. Trial began on 2/7/24. Court in session Tuesdays thru Fridays. 2/16/24, 2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1 & 3/5/24. Trial will be from 2/6/24 thru 3/5/24.
Judge James Marner presiding. Prosecutor Tracy Miller & defense attorney Eric Kessler.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 12/20/23 & Jury Selection (2/6/24) & Trial Day 1-4 (2/7-2/13/24) reference post #748 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
2/14/24 Wednesday, Trial Day 5: State witnesses: Tucson PD Detective (no name given) who arrested Clements. Melissa Stark (gf in 2017). No other info available. Trial continues on Thursday, 2/15/24.
2/15/24 Thursday, Trial Day 6: Tucson PD Detective returns on stand. Karin Rivera, ex-gf. No other info available. Trial continues on Friday, 2/16/24.
For more info see post #749 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
 
The prosecution called the developer of a cell phone tracking technology called Trax that shows the cell towers that a cell phone used at a certain time. The service areas of those towers will overlap to suggest the location of that phone. In Clements’ case, on the night of April 20, 2012, the cell towers followed his narrative that he left his midtown home to go to the hooters on Ina Road. But then the towers showed no movement for three hours into the early morning hours on April 21st before he picked up his ex-girlfriend on the southwest side, took her to her mother’s house and then headed home. Cell towers place him somewhere near the area of Isabel’s recovery site in the mid-morning of April 21, 2012.

The defense pressed the developer whether he performed drive tests of Tucson’s cell towers to establish the accuracy of the algorithm used by Trax. The developer said that drive tests of similarly located cell towers with similar technology in other parts of the country were applied for the program in Tucson.

The developer agreed the method is not absolute, but also said he did not have details of the case when asked to work with the cell phone information when it was provided to him in 2020.
www.kold.com

Cell towers suggest Clements’ activity when Celis disappeared

Tracking program gives broad view, but with gaps, of Clements’ activities the night and morning that Isabel Celis disappeared
www.kold.com www.kold.com
 
imstilla.grandma said:
The prosecution called the developer of a cell phone tracking technology called Trax that shows the cell towers that a cell phone used at a certain time. The service areas of those towers will overlap to suggest the location of that phone. In Clements’ case, on the night of April 20, 2012, the cell towers followed his narrative that he left his midtown home to go to the hooters on Ina Road. But then the towers showed no movement for three hours into the early morning hours on April 21st before he picked up his ex-girlfriend on the southwest side, took her to her mother’s house and then headed home. Cell towers place him somewhere near the area of Isabel’s recovery site in the mid-morning of April 21, 2012.

The defense pressed the developer whether he performed drive tests of Tucson’s cell towers to establish the accuracy of the algorithm used by Trax. The developer said that drive tests of similarly located cell towers with similar technology in other parts of the country were applied for the program in Tucson.

The developer agreed the method is not absolute, but also said he did not have details of the case when asked to work with the cell phone information when it was provided to him in 2020.
www.kold.com

Cell towers suggest Clements’ activity when Celis disappeared

Tracking program gives broad view, but with gaps, of Clements’ activities the night and morning that Isabel Celis disappeared
www.kold.com www.kold.com
Click to expand...

from the article:

The trial resumes Wednesday [2/21/24].
 
Wednesday, February 21st:
*Trial continues (Day 8) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 42) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates). Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Trial began on 2/6/24 with jury selection. Done. Trial began on 2/7/24. Court in session Tuesdays thru Fridays. 2/21/24, 2/22, 2/23, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1 & 3/5/24. Trial will be from 2/6/24 thru 3/5/24.
Judge James Marner presiding. Prosecutor Tracy Miller & defense attorney Eric Kessler.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 12/20/23 & Jury Selection (2/6/24) & Trial Day 1-6 (2/7-2/15/24) reference post #750 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
2/16/24 Friday, Trial Day 7: State witness: The developer of a cell phone tracking technology called Trax.
Trial continues on Wednesday, 2/21/24.
For more info see post #751 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
 
Not finding any updated articles on what is happening in court...

Thursday, February 22nd:
*Trial continues (Day 9) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 42) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates). Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Trial began on 2/6/24 with jury selection. Done. Trial began on 2/7/24. Court in session Tuesdays thru Fridays. 2/22/24, 2/23, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1 & 3/5/24. Trial will be from 2/6/24 thru 3/5/24.
Judge James Marner presiding. Prosecutor Tracy Miller & defense attorney Eric Kessler.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 12/20/23 & Jury Selection (2/6/24) & Trial Day 1-7 (2/7-2/16/24) reference post #753 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
2/21/24 Wednesday, Trial Day 8: State witness: No info available. Trial continues on Thursday, 2/22/24.
 
 
www.kold.com

Prosecution rests as Clements defense requests acquittal

The state rested its case against Christopher Clements on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
www.kold.com www.kold.com

2/21/24

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The state rested in the trial of Christopher Clements on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and his defense requested for an acquittal, claiming there’s not enough substantial evidence to convict him.

The motion was made and the discussion was held in front of the judge after the jury left the room. The defense told the judge there was nothing to put Christopher Clements in the Celis household the night Isabel Celis went missing. The prosecution replied with all of the evidence it presented and why it matters.

[..]

The motion to acquit attacked the burglary charge, saying there was no substantial evidence placing Clements in the house and that only someone Isabel trusted would have been able to get her clothes and leave without making a sound.

The defense once again pointed the finger at Isbael’s father Sergio.

But the prosecution came back to point out the calls made from Clements’ phone to the Celis home in 2011, his interest in Acura cars and asking Becky Celis about the one they had, the pictures of prepubescent girls that Clements had in a secret folder, the cell tower data placing him not only where Isabel would be found but also near the Celis home a week earlier, and his credit card receipts showing he bought food at a fast food restaurant right next to the Celis home after she went missing, which suggested that he showed interest in the crime and concern for getting caught.

The judge denied the defense’s motion. He said that he considers all charges together and that there is substantial evidence to convict Clements.

The motion was discussed at the end of the day, after the defense called rebuttal witnesses. The defense called a retired Tucson Police detective who interviewed Sergio Celis a few weeks after the abduction and noted he was sweating during the interview.

The detective also made a video showing the difficulty he had entering the girl’s bedroom window with any sort of stealth or leaving for that matter while carrying a small doll.

The prosecution pointed out a lot of people sweat when talking to the police or in a stressful situation like a child’s abduction and that the detective was shorter than Clements so entering the window would be difficult.

The defense also called an engineer who said the bedroom window screen could have been pushed out instead of pulled out. A TPD analyst was questioned how cell phone tower information was used to show uncertainty once again in using that method.

The trial resumes Thursday and could reach closing arguments by Friday, but that is not certain. The court faces a bit of pressure to do so because there is only one alternate juror left after one called out sick this week.

@Niner
 
Friday, February 23rd:
*Trial continues (Day 10) (@ 10:30am PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 42) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates). Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Trial began on 2/6/24 with jury selection. Done. Trial began on 2/7/24. Court in session Tuesdays thru Fridays. 2/23/24, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1 & 3/5/24. Trial will be from 2/6/24 thru 3/5/24. State rested their cases on 2/21/24.
Judge James Marner presiding. Prosecutor Tracy Miller & defense attorney Eric Kessler.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 12/20/23 & Jury Selection (2/6/24) & Trial Day 1-7 (2/7-2/16/24) reference post #753 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
2/21/24 Wednesday, Trial Day 8: State rested their case.
Defense witnesses: A retired Tucson Police detective who interviewed Sergio Celis. An engineer who said the bedroom window screen could have been pushed out instead of pulled out. A TPD analyst was questioned how cell phone tower information was used to show uncertainty once again in using that method.
His defense requested for an acquittal, claiming there’s not enough substantial evidence to convict him. The motion was made & the discussion was held in front of the judge after the jury left the room. The defense told the judge there was nothing to put Clements in the Celis household the night Isabel went missing. The prosecution replied with all of the evidence it presented & why it matters. The judge denied the defense’s motion. He said that he considers all charges together & that there is substantial evidence to convict Clements.
The trial resumes Thursday, 2/22/24 & could reach closing arguments by Friday, but that is not certain. The court faces a bit of pressure to do so because there is only one alternate juror left after one called out sick this week. Trial continues on Thursday, 2/22/24.
For more info see post #758 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
2/22/24 Thursday, Trial Day 9: Defense witnesses: One expert testified that the program used by the prosecution is unsound while another expert who was testifying up to the end of the day said that cell phone towers can’t be used to show a person’s location.
The second expert will face the prosecution Friday & he used to work for communication companies. Closing arguments are now not until Tuesday, 2/27/24 at the earliest & the jury has only one alternate. Trial continues on Friday, 2/23/24.
For more info see post #759 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-deceased-in-2017-arrest-27.464075/page-38
 
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