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

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Seattle1 said:
Is this record for Isabel's case?

Order to change the Judge for cause and motion to change venue pending?
Click to expand...
@PayrollNerd, I just noticed the court record post I asked about has a 2023 case number:

Case: CR20230759 Contraband

If this record is for new charges (i.e., contraband in prison) then it's not about Isabel's murder case, and the Judge change and motion for venue change are not applicable to Isabel's murder case!

I only care about the murder charge for Isabel and a family still waiting for justice.
 
Seattle1 said:
@PayrollNerd, I just noticed the court record post I asked about has a 2023 case number:

Case: CR20230759 Contraband

If this record is for new charges (i.e., contraband in prison) then it's not about Isabel's murder case, and the Judge change and motion for venue change are not applicable to Isabel's murder case!

I only care about the murder charge for Isabel and a family still waiting for justice.
Click to expand...

You are correct the change of venue, etc. is for the contraband case. I am going to post all his charges. He was also found GUILTY of fraud & sentencing date on that is 5/5/23.
 
Niner said:
You are correct the change of venue, etc. is for the contraband case. I am going to post all his charges. He was also found GUILTY of fraud & sentencing date on that is 5/5/23.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Since the record I used to incorrectly post as if there had been action on Isabel's murder case was for the 2023 charge, I requested my earlier post deleted. IMO, this lifer defendant will forever show up in the system with new charges wherever he's housed. :mad:
 
Seattle1 said:
Thank you! Since the record I used to incorrectly post as if there had been action on Isabel's murder case was for the 2023 charge, I requested my earlier post deleted. IMO, this lifer defendant will forever show up in the system with new charges wherever he's housed. :mad:
Click to expand...

I wanted to also thank you for pointing out that the change of venue, etc was for the contraband charge. I had mistakenly put it on Isabel's case. But have corrected that now! :)
 
Tuesday, May 2nd:
*Status Conference Hearing (both cases) (@ 9am 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 41) 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). One juror was dismissed (2/22/23) 2 alternates. Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. State rested their case on 2/28/23. Defense started their case on 2/28/23. Jury deliberations: 3/2/23: 4 ½ hours. 3/3/23: ~2 ½ hours – total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial.
11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal. The only juror who made this a mistrial said loudly that he was not operating on the basis of reasonable doubt, but on the basis of all doubt. Other jurors attempted to explain the jury’s instructions to the judge. “That one juror said there wasn’t enough evidence, I need something like a video showing the crime in progress, DNA, all that stuff.”
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 2/8/23 & Jury selection (2/9/23) & Trial Day 1-11 (2/14 to 3/1/23) & Jury Deliberations Day 1-2 (3/2-3/3/23) reference post #645 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...tucson-20-april-2012-arrest-27.464075/page-33
3/4/23 Update: Next status conference hearing to set trial date on 3/27/23 @ 4pm. 3/28/23: Letter to attorney of record re Grand Jury transcript(s).
3/27/23 Update: Next status conference hearing on 5/2/23 @ 9am.
*Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) - Trial started 9/13/22 & ended 9/30/22 with a guilty verdict. Sentenced on 11/14/22 to natural life in prison & 17 years for kidnapping. The kidnapping sentence will be served consecutively with the sentence of natural life.
*Christopher Matthew Clements (41) charged & arraigned (2/28/23) with promoting/possession of prison contraband a felony (2/7/23). Plead not guilty.
3/4/23 Update: Case management conference hearing on 3/27/23 @ 4pm. 3/15/23: Defendant's Rule 15.2 Disclosure-witness list. 3/16/23 Grand Jury transcript cover sheet. 3/27/23: Motion for Change of Judge for Cause. 3/28/23: Letter to attorney of record re grand jury transcript(s).
4/6/23: Ruling in chambers re motion for change of judge for cause. 4/7/23: Motion for change of Judge. Ruling in chambers re motion for change of Judge for cause. 4/11/23: Order in chambers re criminal Order. 4/18/23 Order: In Chambers re change of Judge for cause. 4/19/23: Ruling: In chambers ruling re defendant's Rule 10.2 Notice of change of Judge. 4/22/23 Motion for change of venue due to excessive prejudicial pretrial publicity (prejudice presumed. 4/24/23: Order: In chambers re request for cameras present. 4/26/23: Order in chambers re request for clarification. 4/27/23: Motion to reconsider motion for new finding of probable cause. Next status hearing on 5/2/23.
 
Docket updates since I last posted them. Looks like his sentencing date for the fraud case has been pushed out.

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
5/1/2023 005 - ME: Hearing - Party (001) 5/1/2023

4/26/2023 169 - ME: Sent/Dispo Reset - Party (002) 4/26/2023

4/25/2023 SDD - Notice: Sealed Document - Party (002) 4/27/2023
NOTE: MOTION TO CONTINUE SENTENCING HEARING

4/17/2023 NOF - Notice Of Filing - Party (002) 4/21/2023
NOTE: NOTICE OF FILING UNDER SEAL

4/13/2023 WSH - Worksheet - Party (001) 5/3/2023
NOTE: TRIAL, HEARING

4/11/2023 169 - ME: Sent/Dispo Reset - Party (001) 4/11/2023

3/31/2023 169 - ME: Sent/Dispo Reset - Party (001) 3/31/2023

2/9/2023 012 - ME: Trial - Party (001) 2/9/2023

2/7/2023 SDD - Notice: Sealed Document - Party (001) 2/13/2023
NOTE: JURY QUESTIONNAIRES

2/7/2023 EXW - Exhibits Work Sheet - Party (001) 2/15/2023

2/6/2023 023 - ME: Order Entered By Court - Party (001) 2/6/2023

2/3/2023 JIN - Jury Instructions - Party (001) 2/9/2023
NOTE: AGGRAVATING


Case Calendar
Date Time Event
5/5/2023 9:00 Sentencing - vacated

5/18/2023 10:00 Sentencing - vacated

8/3/2023 9:00 Sentencing

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History
 
eu.azcentral.com

Retrial in killing of 6-year-old Isabel Celis set for later this year

Isabel Celis lived with her brothers and parents in Tucson. On the night of April 20, 2012, she went to bed and was never seen alive again.
eu.azcentral.com

May 3, 2023
A new trial date was set to retry the convicted murderer accused of kidnapping and killing Isabel Celis, a 6-year-old girl who disappeared from her bedroom 11 years ago in Tucson.

The retrial for Christopher Clements, 41, is scheduled to take place at 10:30 a.m. on September 12 at the Pima County Superior Court in Tucson, the court said during a hearing Tuesday. He faces three charges related to Isabel's death and disappearance, including first-degree murder, burglary and kidnapping a minor under 15.

The retrial is slated to run for four weeks ending on Oct. 6, the court estimated. A back-up date for the trial was scheduled for Feb. 6 if needed.


Probably no news on the next court hearing date, eh?
 
Wondering if @PayrollNerd can access the court site - and see if there is another court hearing posted.

TIA!
Girl Waving Hello Smiley
 
The goal of Donald hearings is to advise the defendant of the plea offer, what could happen at trial, when the offer expires, and if a wavier is possible. • Whenever a plea agreement is made, or sentencing is conducted, the judicial officer will ask counsel about compliance with victim's rights.


Maybe a plea deal on that contraband...
 
Monday, June 12th:
*Status Conference Hearing (murder) & Donald/Pretrial Hearing (contraband) (@ 2:30pm 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 41) 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 is set to begin on 9/12/23. (run thru 10/6)/back up date of 2/6/24.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 3/28/23 reference post #665 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...tucson-20-april-2012-arrest-27.464075/page-34
3/28/23 Update: Next status conference hearing on 5/2/23 @ 9am. 5/2/23 Update: The retrial for Clements is scheduled to take place at 10:30 a.m. on 9/12/23 at the Pima County Superior Court in Tucson, the court said during a hearing Tuesday. He faces three charges related to Isabel's death & disappearance, including first-degree murder, burglary & kidnapping a minor under 15. The retrial is slated to run for four weeks ending on Oct. 6, the court estimated. A back-up date for the trial was scheduled for 2/6/24 if needed.
5/2/23 Update: Next status conference hearing on 6/12/23 @ 2:30pm.
*Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) - Trial started 9/13/22 & ended 9/30/22 with a guilty verdict. Sentenced on 11/14/22 to natural life in prison & 17 years for kidnapping. The kidnapping sentence will be served consecutively with the sentence of natural life.
*Christopher Matthew Clements (41) charged & arraigned (2/28/23) with promoting/possession of prison contraband a felony (2/7/23). Plead not guilty.
Court hearings from 2/4/23 to 4/26/23 reference post #665 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...tucson-20-april-2012-arrest-27.464075/page-34
4/27/23: Motion to reconsider motion for new finding of probable cause. Next status hearing on 5/2/23. 5/2/23 Update: Next a pretrial & Donald hearing on 6/12/23 @ 2:30pm. The goal of Donald hearings is to advise the defendant of the plea offer, what could happen at trial, when the offer expires & if a wavier is possible. Whenever a plea agreement is made, or sentencing is conducted, the judicial officer will ask counsel about compliance with victim's rights.
 
"11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal. The only juror who made this a mistrial said loudly that he was not operating on the basis of reasonable doubt, but on the basis of all doubt. Other jurors attempted to explain the jury’s instructions to the judge. “That one juror said there wasn’t enough evidence, I need something like a video showing the crime in progress, DNA, all that stuff.”

Were the jurors not aware of the Maribel case? And his history? And shown that creepy photo of Isabel in his car??? The VILE man who comittted these crimes, (don't want to further glorify him by using his name) is the absolute worst humanity has to offer. Why didn't they seek the death penalty??!?
 
www.azcentral.com

Bias claim dropped against Tucson judge in Isabel Celis' murder trial

Attorneys alleged a trial judge showed bias against Christopher Clements, who killed one Tucson girl and faces charges in the death of Isabel Celis.
www.azcentral.com

4/26/23

[..]

After February’s mistrial, attorneys alleged the judge showed bias and prejudice against Clements, citing an article in the Arizona Daily Star.

After the trial, the judge went to speak to the jury to thank them for their service.

The article reported that the gridlock occurred when one juror refused to vote for a conviction.

“They (the jurors) said they aren’t even sure that knowing about Clements’ previous conviction in Maribel’s death ― which the jurors did not know until Marner provided them with details after the mistrial was declared ― would have changed the holdout’s mind,” stated the article.

[..]

Clements’ attorneys said the issue of the discussion between the judge and the jurors mentioned “negative” information withheld from the jury and failed to mention other information that could have incriminated Sergio Celis, the father of Isabel.

“Judge Marner should not have said anything to the jurors about any facts that were withheld from the jury,” argued Clements’ attorneys in the court documents.
 
for Fraud charges - docket update:

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
6/6/2023 NAP - Notice Of Appeal - Party (001) 6/7/2023
NOTE: Notice of Appeal from Superior Court

5/30/2023 DRE - Disposition Report - Party (001) 6/5/2023

5/22/2023 NOT - Notice - Party (001) 6/5/2023
NOTE: STATE'S SENTENCING RECOMMENDATION

5/19/2023 SOI - Sentencing Order - Incarceration - Party (001) 5/19/2023
NOTE: SOI - Sentencing Order - Incarceration

5/18/2023 PSR - Presentence Report - Party (001) 5/18/2023
NOTE: Presentence Report

5/18/2023 OIM – Order - Imprisonment (monetary orders) - Party (001) 5/18/2023
NOTE: Monetary Orders

5/18/2023 OCP-Order of Confinement/Sentence of Imprisonment to ADOC - Party (001)
5/18/2023
NOTE: Order of Confinement

5/18/2023 PSD - PSR Supporting Documents - Party (001) 5/18/2023
NOTE: PSR Supporting Documents

5/18/2023 NRR - Notice Of Rights - Party (001) 5/18/2023
NOTE:

5/17/2023 NOF - Notice Of Filing - Party (001) 5/19/2023
NOTE: CORRECTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES' NOTICE OF FILING DOCUMENT UNDER SEAL

5/17/2023 MEM - Memorandum - Party (001) 5/22/2023
NOTE: Sentencing Memorandum

5/17/2023 RMR - Response to Defendant's Motion - Party (001) 5/23/2023
NOTE: STATE’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO CONTINUE SENTENCING HEARING

5/17/2023 023 - ME: Order Entered By Court - Party (001) 5/17/2023

5/15/2023 MCO - Motion To Continue - Party (001) 5/19/2023
NOTE: Motion to Continue Sentencing Hearing


Case Calendar
Date Time Event
8/3/2023 9:00 Sentencing

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History
 
Monday, June 26th:
*Status Conference Hearing (murder) & Grand Jury Review (contraband) (@ 1:30pm 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 41) 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 is set to begin on 9/12/23. (run thru 10/6)/back up date of 2/6/24.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 5/2/23 reference post #671 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...tucson-20-april-2012-arrest-27.464075/page-34
4/6/23 Update: A motion the defense attorneys submitted to change the judge was denied Wednesday in Pima County Superior Court, alleged the judge showed bias against Clements. 5/2/23 Update: Next status conference hearing on 6/12/23 @ 2:30pm.
6/12/23 Update: Next motions hearing on 6/26/23 @ 1:30pm & status conference hearing on 7/10/23 @ 1pm.
*Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) - Trial started 9/13/22 & ended 9/30/22 with a guilty verdict. Sentenced on 11/14/22 to natural life in prison & 17 years for kidnapping. The kidnapping sentence will be served consecutively with the sentence of natural life.
*Christopher Matthew Clements (41) charged & arraigned (2/28/23) with promoting/possession of prison contraband a felony (2/7/23). Plead not guilty.
Court hearings from 2/4/23 to 4/26/23 reference post #671 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...tucson-20-april-2012-arrest-27.464075/page-34
4/6/23 Update: A motion the attorneys submitted to change the judge was denied Wednesday in Pima County Superior Court, alleged the judge showed bias against Clements. 4/27/23: Motion to reconsider motion for new finding of probable cause. Next status hearing on 5/2/23.
5/2/23 Update: Next a pretrial & Donald hearing on 6/12/23 @ 2:30pm. The goal of Donald hearings is to advise the defendant of the plea offer, what could happen at trial, when the offer expires & if a wavier is possible. Whenever a plea agreement is made, or sentencing is conducted, the judicial officer will ask counsel about compliance with victim's rights.
6/12/23 Update: Remanded to Grand Jury for review on 6/26/23.
 
@PayrollNerd - any updates if you can get in? I searched about the hearing but nothing came up for me over here.

TIA! :)

edited to add: I have next for murder status conference on 7/10/23.
 
Case: CR20183978 Murder
CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER

I can only go out 90 days so maybe next week I can check again to see if the trial dates continue past 9/20/23.

1688034138757.png


file:///C:/Users/thoma/Downloads/OnlineCourtCalendar-10.pdf
 
Case: CR20230759 Contraband
CLEMENTS, CHRISTOPHER

I haven't found anything on this case yet.

file:///C:/Users/thoma/Downloads/OnlineCourtCalendar-10.pdf
 
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