Shooting case delayed again
Suspect might consider plea agreement
If a suspect charged in connection to the shooting of a 22-year-old Somerton man does not accept a plea offer, a trial date will be set, a judge ruled Thursday.
During what was supposed to be a change of plea hearing for Martin Guzman, his attorney Michael Donovan requested one last continuance, adding he understood that the hearing has been delayed a number of times already.
When asked the reason for the continuance, Donovan informed the court that he has not received the plea offer in writing yet, and that he and the prosecution were waiting for the completion of a co-defendant’s case.
The prosecutor, who was representing the Yuma County Attorney’s Office, for all of the hearings on the dockets, then addressed the court saying notes in the file from the case indicate that a draft of the plea offer had been sent to the victims to review.
Yuma County Superior Court Judge Roger Nelson, who is presiding over the case, then granted Donovan’s request, scheduling the next hearing for 8:30 a.m. on July 26. He also informed Guzman, who appeared telephonically, that he must be present for the hearing.
Guzman has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and burglary.
According to Somerton police, Guzman and 20-year-old Anthony Serrano were involved in the July 2017 shooting of a 22-year-old man in Somerton.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.