Mitigation hearing in drive-by shooting case OK’d
On Wednesday, a defense request for a mitigation hearing was granted for the man charged in connection to a drive-by shooting that happened early last year in Somerton. Two people were shot during the incident.
Attorney Michael Donovan, who represents Raymundo Chairez Jr., asked for the hearing immediately after Superior Court Judge David Haws informed him it was the court’s intention to sentence his client to five years in prison with credit for 44 days previously served.
During a mitigation hearing, the defendant’s attorney presents evidence or testimony to show why their client should receive a reduced sentence. However, the prosecution can also present evidence or testimony in an attempt to get the judge to impose a longer sentence.
Chairez, who is out of custody, accepted a plea offer from prosecutors in December. The prosecutor who was present for the hearing did not indicate whether the state would present any aggravating factors.
Haws granted the defense’s request and scheduled the hearing for 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 20, with sentencing to possibly follow.
According to Somerton police, on Feb. 23, 2018, officers responded to the area of Joshua Street and Columbia Avenue at about 2:15 p.m. after receiving several 911 calls reporting gunfire at that location.
Upon their arrival, officers found two young adults in a water retention area who had been shot and had serious, but reportedly nonlife-threatening, injuries.
Both victims — one had been shot in the chest, the other in the leg — were transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center by Somerton/Cocopah paramedics.
The suspect was believed to be Chairez Jr., who reportedly fled the area in a vehicle.
Somerton police also said the shooting appeared to have been “target specific.”
Neither of the victims cooperated with investigators.