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Globe, Arizona – Gila County Attorney Bradley D. Beauchamp announced that on May 6, 2014, 38 year-old Guillermo Ortega, III was found guilty by a jury of six women and six men of Second Degree Murder, Attempted Second Degree Murder, and four counts of Aggravated Assault following a seven-day jury trial.
According to Chief Deputy Shawn C. Fuller, who prosecuted the case, evidence was presented that on April 28, 2013, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Ortega attacked his ex-wife with a knife following a brief domestic violence-related dispute the two had in her home, which was located in Hayden. During the attack the victim suffered fatal injuries to her neck.
While the victim was being attacked, her brother, who was inside the home, heard a struggle and came to her aid. The defendant then attacked the victim's brother with the knife and attempted to kill him by stabbing him in the chest and the neck. After the attack the defendant fled the scene and was apprehended several hours later in Pinal County.
Ortega's sentencing is scheduled to be conducted in Globe on June 2, 2014, at 3:30 p.m., before the Honorable Robert Duber II. Ortega is facing a mandatory prison sentence of up to 46 years.
County Attorney Beauchamp commended the Hayden Police Department, the Department of Public Safety, the Golder Ranch Fire District, the Kearny Police Department, and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office for conducting the investigation that led to the successful apprehension and prosecution of Ortega.
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