ISABEL CELIS & MARIBEL GONZALES: Arizona vs. Christopher Clements for murder of girls in 2012 & 2014 *GUILTY*

Isabel was 6 years old when she vanished from her parents' east-side home in April 2012. Maribel was 13 years old when she went disappeared while walking to a friend’s house in 2014.

Maribel's body was found a few days after she went missing. Isabel's remains were not located until March 2017.

Defense urges separate trials in Tucson child murders

The man charged in the murders of 6 year old Isabel Celis and 13 year old Maribel Gonzalez is trying to have the cases broken into two separate trials.

www.kgun9.com

Defense urges separate trials in Tucson child murders​

Attorneys for Christopher Clements, the man charged in the murders of six-year-old Isabel Celis and 13 year old Maribel Gonzalez are trying to have the cases broken into separate trials.

Six-year-old Isabel Celis and 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez disappeared about two years apart. Maribel Gonzalez body was found three days after she was reported missing. Five years went by before the remains of Isabel Celis were found and identified. Because they were juveniles the attorneys refer to the girls as I-C and M-B.

Christopher Clements was not in court for this latest hearing.

Prosecutors say the two cases tie together and tie to Christopher Clements because when Clements tried to bargain his way out of some unrelated charges, he led investigators to Celis remains in a remote part of Avra Valley.

They were less than a mile from where Maribel Gonzalez body was found. Investigators say they found traces of Clements DNA on the older girl’s body.

Clements attorneys are trying to convince Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini it’s not fair to try Clements for both murders in one trial. They argue Clements wants to testify in his own defense in the Celis case.

Defense attorney Joseph DiRoberto says, “It’s imperative that he testify in counts one through three. He has to explain how he led investigators to I-C’s remains back in 2017. He has to explain that. He has to take the stand and explain that.”

But if he does testify, and the two murders are in one trial, he would be vulnerable to prosecutors’ questions in Maribel Gonzalez murder while he’s on the witness stand.

Prosecutors argue similar crimes and similar locations for the remains tie the case together.

Judge Bernini did not rule right away. She will take some time to decide on the issue of separate trials and on a separate issue on what evidence jurors will be able to consider.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Jury finds Christopher Clements guilty in Tucson kidnapping and murder of Maribel Gonzalez

Christopher Clements is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 12 in Pima County Superior Court.

www.azcentral.com

Jury finds Christopher Clements guilty in Tucson kidnapping and murder of Maribel Gonzalez​

A jury found Christopher Clements guilty in the disappearance and death of a 13-year-old girl in Tucson in 2014.

Clements, 40, was convicted by a jury Friday at Pima County Superior Court of first-degree murder of an individual under 15 years and kidnapping of an individual under 15 in the death of Maribel Gonzalez.

Gasps of relief could be heard throughout the courtroom Friday afternoon as members of law enforcement as well as Maribel's family and friends witnessed the reading of the verdict after two weeks of hearings.


Meetings to discuss a sentencing date will take place on Oct. 12.

According to the Associated Press, Clements is serving a prison sentence of up to 35 years for a Maricopa County burglary in 2017.

Clements is also charged with the kidnapping and first-degree murder of 6-year-old Isabel Celis, whose body was identified in 2017, five years after she disappeared. This trial is slated to take place in February.

A big step finished and some relief for the family. They had a long road/ride.

Justice. It is bittersweet. Doesn't bring them back but at least he will stay off the streets. HOPEfully. These days one can't count on that (crazy) but hopefully such will be the case here.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Man seeking a new trial, venue change in Tucson murder cases

Christopher Clements, who is convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Maribel Gonzalez, filed a motion for a new trial.

www.azcentral.com

Man seeking a new trial, venue change in Tucson murder cases​

A man convicted last month in the first of two murder cases in Tucson is seeking a new trial, according to authorities.

Christopher Clements was convicted Sept. 30 of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.

He was scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in Pima County Superior Court, but the date has been moved to Nov. 14.

Court officials also said Clements’ attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for judgment of acquittal not withstanding the verdict.

A Nov. 7 hearing is set for both motions.

A judge also will hear testimony Nov. 14 for a possible change of venue for Clements’ other murder trial, scheduled for Feb. 2 involving the death of 6-year-old Isabel Celis.

 

[Mel70]

Man seeking a new trial, venue change in Tucson murder cases

Christopher Clements, who is convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of Maribel Gonzalez, filed a motion for a new trial.

www.azcentral.com

Man seeking a new trial, venue change in Tucson murder cases​

A man convicted last month in the first of two murder cases in Tucson is seeking a new trial, according to authorities.

Christopher Clements was convicted Sept. 30 of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.

He was scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in Pima County Superior Court, but the date has been moved to Nov. 14.

Court officials also said Clements’ attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for judgment of acquittal not withstanding the verdict.

A Nov. 7 hearing is set for both motions.

A judge also will hear testimony Nov. 14 for a possible change of venue for Clements’ other murder trial, scheduled for Feb. 2 involving the death of 6-year-old Isabel Celis.

Always to cater to the defendant. No respect for the victims families that it is just prolonging it for them.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Always to cater to the defendant. No respect for the victims families that it is just prolonging it for them.

Yep. And it keeps the system going on, backlogged and money and way too many jobs, insanity evaluators, jobs etc. Try 'em, convict 'em and done. Have a swift but clear process for appeals in the event something was unfair and if it was then make it fair or fix it and Be DONE WITH IT.

Bureaucratic bullsh*t and pandering but for a reason. Imo.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Judge denies request for new trial for convicted child killer Christopher Clements

A Pima County judge rejected two motions by the attorneys of convicted child killer Christopher Clements.

www.kold.com

Judge denies request for new trial for convicted child killer Christopher Clements​

A Pima County judge rejected two motions by the attorneys of convicted child killer Christopher Clements.

On Monday, Nov. 6, Judge James Marner denied a request for a new trial and judgment of acquittal notwithstanding the verdict.

Clements, found guilty of kidnapping and murdering Maribel Gonzalez on Sept. 30, will be sentenced at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

 

[Kimster]

Judge denies request for new trial for convicted child killer Christopher Clements

A Pima County judge rejected two motions by the attorneys of convicted child killer Christopher Clements.

www.kold.com

Judge denies request for new trial for convicted child killer Christopher Clements​

A Pima County judge rejected two motions by the attorneys of convicted child killer Christopher Clements.

On Monday, Nov. 6, Judge James Marner denied a request for a new trial and judgment of acquittal notwithstanding the verdict.

Clements, found guilty of kidnapping and murdering Maribel Gonzalez on Sept. 30, will be sentenced at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

May he get the max!!!!

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Man convicted of killing Tucson teenager gets life in prison

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A man convicted in the first of two murder cases in Tucson...

www.thetelegraph.com

Man convicted of killing Tucson teenager gets life in prison​

A man convicted in the first of two murder cases in Tucson involving young girls was sentenced Monday to natural life in prison.

Christopher Clements also got a 17-year prison term for kidnapping the teenage victim and it will be served consecutively with the life sentence for first-degree murder.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Christopher Clements expected back in court Wednesday morning

KVOA (TUCSON) - Convicted child killer Christopher Clements is expected back in court Wednesday at 9 a.m.

www.kvoa.com

• Megan Spector
• Feb 8, 2023 Updated 51 min ago

KVOA (TUCSON) - Convicted child killer Christopher Clements is expected back in court Wednesday at 9 a.m.

He will be transported from Maricopa County to Tucson for this hearing.

The hearing will deal with motions before his trial this week for the kidnapping and murder of Isabel Celis.

Isabel Celis, or Isa, as she was known was just 6 years old when she disappeared from her home on the Eastside in April of 2012.

On March 31, 2017, authorities announced they found Isabel's remains in a remote area of Pima County.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Christopher Clements ordered to remain in Pima County for duration of trial

Christopher Clements is accused of kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Isabel Celis in 2012.

www.kold.com

By 13 News Staff
Published: Feb. 8, 2023 at 2:17 PM EST|Updated: 1 hour ago

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The man accused of kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Isabel Celis in 2012 was in a Pima County courtroom on Wednesday, Feb. 8, for a pre-trial hearing.

<snip>
Jury selection from a pool of nearly 100 potential jurors begins Thursday.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Christopher Clements’ 2nd murder trial kicks into high gear with opening statements

Christopher Clements is already serving life in prison for the murder of Maribel Gonzalez.

www.kold.com

By 13 News Staff
Published: Feb. 14, 2023 at 3:05 PM EST

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The second murder trial for convicted child killer Christopher Clements kicked into high gear Tuesday, Feb. 14, with opening statements.

Clements is facing charges of kidnapping and murder for the 2012 disappearance and death of Isabel Celis in Tucson.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Defense attorney tries to blame father of slain Isabel Celis, 6

Trial begins for Christopher M. Clement, charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Tucson girl's 2012 abduction and killing.

tucson.com

Defense attorney tries to blame father of slain Isabel Celis, 6​

“Unbelievable nightmare.”

Pima County prosecutors echoed Sergio Celis’ words in the aftermath of his 6-year-old daughter’s 2012 disappearance during opening statements Tuesday in the trial of the man accused in Isabel Celis’ death.

“There’s not going to be a lot of information about how Christopher Clements got Isabel Celis out of her bedroom during the early morning hours of April 21, 2012,” Miller told the jury. “But the strength of the evidence thereafter leaves no doubt that the person responsible for murdering and abducting Isabel Celis is Christopher Clements.”


Clements’ defense attorney, Eric Kessler, also referenced Sergio Celis’ sentiments that the situation was an “unbelievable nightmare,” but reminded jurors that the purpose of the trial is to determine whether Clements is the person responsible for that nightmare.

“The defense expects to elicit testimony that somebody other than Mr. Clements is responsible for Isabel’s disappearance,” Kessler said. “Frankly, that person is Sergio.”

Kessler said evidence will show the father, who was never charged with any crimes, was responsible.

The defense attorney told jurors the property included a courtyard with “very high walls,” the only entrance being a large wooden gate that locked from the outside.

He said detectives tried to recreate Isabel’s abduction through her bedroom window, but that it was impossible to do it “without making a whole lot of racket” while carrying a 20-pound object. Isabel at the time weighed closer to 40 pounds, Kessler said.

He also pointed to what he called inconsistencies in Sergio Celis’ statements that he had fallen asleep on the couch while watching a rerun of a Diamondbacks baseball game the night Isabel was taken, waking up early in the morning and going to the master bedroom a few hours before discovering Isabel was missing.

Cell phone data revealed that Isabel’s older brother, Sergio Miguel, was awake and on his phone until 3 a.m.. Kessler said the boy — though admittedly a light sleeper — heard nothing, including the television that was supposedly left on.

“The focus became ‘maybe that wasn’t really what happened’,” Kessler said.

Detectives discovered messages on the walls of Isabel’s closet in her handwriting, including “I don’t like Dad” and “Dad’s bad,” he said.

Kessler said there was no evidence of any kind of struggle and no evidence that anybody forcibly took Isabel from the home.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Mother of Isabel Celis takes the stand and gives emotional testimony

TUCSON (KVOA) - Day 3 of testimony in the murder-kidnapping trial for Christopher Clements.

www.kvoa.com

Becky Celis, IsabeI's mother also took the stand.

Celis silently wept on the witness stand as she heard herself on a 911 recording of April 21,2012.

She was frantically begging for help.

The prosecutor, Tracy Miller, asked if she knew Christopher Clements.

Celis replied "no."

Miller then asked Celis about a dark-haired man who knocked at their door a few months prior to Isabel's disappearance.

Celis told the court the man looked Hispanic and inquired about the red Acura parked by the driveway.

She said Isabel was standing next to her as she spoke to dark haired man through the door.

Celis also responded to questions from defense attorney Eric Kessler about her husband Sergio having something to do with Isa's disappearance.

She told the court she never saw anything that made her believe her children were unsafe with their father.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Note with Isabel Celis's name part of key testimony in Clements trial

A secret note with Isabel Celis's name—hidden at Christopher Clements's home was a key part of testimony in the Clements trial for kidnapping and killing the six-year-old girl.

www.kgun9.com

Note with Isabel Celis's name part of key testimony in Clements trial​

A secret note with Isabel Celis's name—hidden at Christopher Clements's home was a key part of testimony in the Clements trial for kidnapping and killing the six-year-old girl.

Clements's ex-girlfriend Melissa Stark testified while Clements was in jail on another charge. He called her and told her to look under some rocks in the yard of his house. Stark says she found a note in a plastic bag—and the note had Isabel Celis's name on it. Stark says she knew jail phone calls are recorded so no one mentioned the name—and she destroyed the note.


Attorneys have not been allowed to mention Clements's recent conviction for the kidnapping and killing of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez. Her body was found in the same area where Clements led FBI agents to Isabel Celis's remains. He led investigators there in return for getting unrelated charges dropped. He told detectives he simply knew the location without having a role in the death.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Prosecutors argue photo proves Christopher Clements kidnapped, killed Isabel Celis

The Disappeared in the Desert Team has obtained a never-before-seen photograph of the man accused of kidnapping and killing two Tucson girls.

www.kold.com

Prosecutors argue photo proves Christopher Clements kidnapped, killed Isabel Celis​

The Disappeared in the Desert Team has obtained a never-before-seen photograph of the man accused of kidnapping and killing two Tucson girls.

Buried amongst court documents, our Disappeared in the Desert Team found a photo that appeared to be a selfie taken by Clements.

In the documents, Clements admitted it was a picture of him looking in his rear-view mirror at a small child in the backseat of the car.

Who that child is depends on who you ask and will be argued in Clements’ upcoming trials.

Police said they discovered the photo on one of Clements’ devices taken from his Tucson home.

The Pima County Attorney’s Office argued the child bears a striking resemblance to Celis.

Isabel’s mother, Rebecca, told police she braided Isabel’s hair after her bath the night before she disappeared.

Prosecutors said the photo depicts a young female with dark, textured hair consistent with having been braided.

Investigators showed the photo to Isabel’s parents. Court documents state Rebecca told police she thought the girl in the picture looked like Isabel, but she couldn’t be sure because the “quality of the image was so poor.”

The defense, however, said the child in the backseat is not a little girl, but “a happy, smiling 1- to 2-year-old child underneath a blanket.”

Clements and his fiancé, Melissa, have a child together, so investigators took the photo to Melissa and asked if it was her son.

When Melissa saw the photo, investigators said she quote, “started shaking.”

Prosecutors argued she never identified the child as hers.

View attachment 13604

Bumping this picture and wondering if/when we will hear about it at trial.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Medical examiner gives jurors cause of death for Isabel Celis

TUCSON (KVOA) - For the first time since Isabel Celis remains were recovered, we now have an insight as to what may have caused her death.

www.kvoa.com

Medical examiner gives jurors cause of death for Isabel Celis​

For the first time since Isabel Celis remains were recovered, we now have an insight as to what may have caused her death.


The last person on the witness stand, Dr. Jennifer Chen from the Office of Medical Examiner.

Doctor Chen told jurors Isabel Celis suffered a fractured vertebrae at or near time of death.

She said cause of death was homicide by unspecified means not uncommon to cases that involve skeletal remains.

A fracture to the area would have likely caused some internal bleeding and inflammation but the doctor was not able to be more specific.

The determination of homicide was based on the suspicious circumstances of her death Such as the distance from where she was found, the attempt to conceal the remains, and evidence of trauma.


Testimony starts back up Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m.https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...l&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Clements DNA not on Celis bedding

TUCSON (KVOA) - Day 6 of testimony in the kidnapping-murder trial for convicted child killer Christopher Clements. He's accused of killing 6 six-year-old Isabel Celis in 2012.

www.kvoa.com

An FBI agent who is a digital forensic examiner told jurors he examined Christopher Clements's cell phone and found some interesting searches.

Patrick Cullen told the jury he found the following searches, "Isabel Celis Sexy and "Isabel Celis Update"

In 2016 he came across another search, "Isabel was not kidnapped."


Jelena Myers is a Tucson police crime lab superintendent. She also took the stand and testified some blood spots found on the floor in Isabel's bedroom match the little girl's DNA. Blood the mother testified earlier was not on the floor the night before she disappeared.

Defense attorney Eric Kessler asked if Clements DNA had been found in any of the bedding in Isabel's room.

She replied there was no match to Christopher Clements.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Suspect in Tucson child's slaying washed car the day she disappeared

Evidence from Christopher Clements' bank and phone records shows he also chose to eat lunch near the police command post that day, and had phoned Isabel Celis' home in the

tucson.com

The man accused of kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Isabel Celis spent more than $100 cleaning his car the day she was discovered missing from her bedroom, bank records show.

The next day, Christopher Clements made a purchase at a restaurant near the Celis house that Tucson police were using as a command post for their search for Isabel.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

DAY 8: Clements didn’t become prime suspect until he led FBI to Isabel Celis’ remains

Christopher Clements is already serving life in prison for the murder of Maribel Gonzalez.

www.kold.com

DAY 8: Clements didn’t become prime suspect until he led FBI to Isabel Celis’ remains​

The day started on a lighter note with the judge announcing the jury gave him and the bailiff thank-you cards.

The judge showed both the state and the defense the cards to make sure there were no issues. Neither side took exception to the thoughtful notes from the jury.

Tucson Police Department Det. Josh Cheek returned to the stand and was cross-examined. To read about his testimony on Thursday, click HERE.

Eric Kessler, Clements’ attorney, asked Cheek if his client was the prime subject of the investigation when Isabel went missing.

Cheek said no and that Clements didn’t because a suspect until 2017, when he told the FBI he knew where her remains were located.

Kessler asked Cheek if Clements was ever captured on surveillance video from the Celis home. Cheek said no.

Kessler asked a few questions about Clements’ former girlfriend, Melissa Stark. Stark has testified against Clements in both cases.

Kessler said Stark claimed she had no knowledge of a secret folder app on Clements’ iPad. In that app, investigators found photos of young girls taken across the Tucson area.

To open that app and look at the photos, a person has to input a password. If the person gets the password wrong, the app will take a photo of person with the iPad’s camera.

Investigators said they found at least one photo of Stark, which could mean she tried to access the folder and was unsuccessful. But investigators said they also found several photos of Clements after someone typed in the wrong password.

As for that security video, Cheek said Isabel’s father Sergio confirmed the camera on their home was a decoy camera.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Prosecutors rest case against Christopher Clements in 2nd murder trial

Clements, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, said he had nothing to do with Isabel’s death.

www.azfamily.com

By 13 News Staff
Published: Feb. 28, 2023 at 11:12 PM EST

<snip>
After lunch, the defense argued for an acquittal on all charges, which Judge James Marner denied. The State rested its case, and it was the defense’s turn to start calling witnesses. Closing arguments could begin on Wednesday.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Jury begins deliberations in 2nd trial of AZ man accused of killing 2 Tucson girls

The second trial of an Arizona man who allegedly murdered two Tucson girls a couple years apart has gone to the jury. Cristopher Clements is facing first-degree murder of a 6-year-old.

www.foxnews.com

Published March 2, 2023 2:10pm EST
Associated Press

Jurors began deliberations Thursday in the second murder trial of a man accused of killing two Tucson girls a couple years apart.

Christopher Clements is facing first-degree murder, kidnapping and other felony charges in the death of 6-year-old Isabel Celis, who was reported missing from her bedroom in her parents’ home in April 2012.

Last September, Clements was sentenced to natural life in prison after being convicted in the 2014 death of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.