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.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Tucson child murders: Two trials likely

The man charged with killing six year old Isabel Celis and 13 year old Maribel Gonzalez could have two separate trials in the deaths.

www.kgun9.com

Tucson child murders: Two trials likely​

The man charged with killing six year old Isabel Celis and 13 year old Maribel Gonzalez could have two separate trials in the deaths.

Judge Deborah Bernini granted a defense request to separate the two murder cases.

Christopher Clements attorneys say he should have a separate trial in each death because he may want to testify in his own defense in the Celis case---but if the cases are combined, prosecutors would be free to ask him questions on the Gonzalez murder.

Prosecutors say the cases are linked because Clements led investigators to Celis remains in a remote part of Avra Valley where Maribel Gonzalez remains were found too.

Investigators say there’s a possible match for Clements DNA on Maribel Gonzalez remains.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Judge to decide what evidence can be used in Tucson child murder trials

In march, a judge will decide what evidence can be used in two Tucson child murder trials.

www.kgun9.com

Judge to decide what evidence can be used in Tucson child murder trials​

In march, a judge will decide what evidence can be used in two Tucson child murder trials.

Christopher Clements is accused of killing six-year-old Isabel Celis and 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.

A judge ruled last month to separate those trials at the request of Clements defense attorneys.

Now, they'll decide what evidence to allow in those trials, including cell phone tracking data.

 

[Kimster]

By having two trials, if somehow he gets out later on due to a loophole in one case, he could still be bound by the other. Assuming he's convicted of both, of course.

 

[Mel70]

Registered sex offender. Didn't comply. Also not charged in an molestation case. Same story.

Documents reveal chilling details into Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzales investigation

Court documents are shedding new light into the investigation of Christopher Clements, the man indicted in the deaths of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzales.

www.kold.com

 

[Mel70]

And said there are 4 bodies buried. 2 more.

 

[Kimster]

Oh my! This pervert murderer used to be in Oregon!

 

[Mel70]

Oh my! This pervert murderer used to be in Oregon!

Oh they just move all over. Rules and laws forget about it. Don't register. So what.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Four years after Isabel Celis' remains were found, Clements prepares for trial

Her remains were located in a remote area of Pima County, after Christopher Clements, the man who was charged with her murder, told authorities where to find them.

kvoa.com

Four years after Isabel Celis’ remains were found, Clements prepares for trial​

Wednesday marked four years since it was announced that Isabel Celis remains were found.

Celis was six-years-old when she disappeared from her east side home in April of 2012.

Her remains were located in a remote area of Pima County, after Christopher Clements, the man who was charged with her murder, told authorities where to find them.

Clements hearings are set to start in two weeks.

 

[Mel70]

Four years after Isabel Celis' remains were found, Clements prepares for trial

Her remains were located in a remote area of Pima County, after Christopher Clements, the man who was charged with her murder, told authorities where to find them.

kvoa.com

Four years after Isabel Celis’ remains were found, Clements prepares for trial​

Wednesday marked four years since it was announced that Isabel Celis remains were found.

Celis was six-years-old when she disappeared from her east side home in April of 2012.

Her remains were located in a remote area of Pima County, after Christopher Clements, the man who was charged with her murder, told authorities where to find them.

Clements hearings are set to start in two weeks.

This guy deserves death. First incident he was 11. Not charged. Charged in 1998. Let out. Didn't comply to register in 2006. He shouldn't have been out to do this. It sounds so familiar. Sick twist.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

N4T Investigators: Man accused of killing Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzales will not face death penalty

Celis disappeared from her east side home in April 2012. Her remains were located in a remote area of Pima County, after Clements told authorities where to find them.

kvoa.com

N4T Investigators: Man accused of killing Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzales will not face death penalty​

The Tucson man who is set to go on trial in the killing of 6-year-old Isabel Celis and 13-year-old Maribel Gonzales will not face the death penalty, according to court documents obtained by News 4 Tucson Investigators Thursday.

Now, the N4T Investigators learned that the new Pima County Attorney Laura Conover has filed a notice to withdraw the death penalty in the case.

Clements hearings are set to start in about a week.

 

[Kimster]

I wonder why? They were CHILDREN!

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Tucson Child Murders: Key evidence allowed

Prosecutors will be able to use a key piece of evidence against the man charged with killing six-year-old Isabel Celis and 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.

www.abc15.com

Tucson Child Murders: Key evidence allowed in Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez case​

Prosecutors say Christopher Clements' cell phone records place him near Isabel Celis' house, the spot where her remains were found, and the site where Maribel Gonzalez's remains were found.

Defense attorneys tried to block the phone evidence because it was originally requested in an unrelated case, and was based on a court order, not a formal search warrant.

Clements led investigators to Celis' remains but did not admit to killing her.

Detectives recognized the Celis site as near the location where Maribel Gonzalez's remains were found. That prompted them to view Clements as a suspect in the older girl’s murder. They say they got a DNA match to Clements off Maribel Gonzalez's body.

Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini ruled the circumstances of how investigators obtained the cell phone tracking should not prevent prosecutors from using that evidence at trial.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Judge rules on what evidence is admissible in murder trials of Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzales

TUCSON (KVOA) - Two cases that shocked the community. Both involved the disappearance and deaths of two young girls.

www.kvoa.com

Judge rules on what evidence is admissible in murder trials of Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzales​

This is a four-page ruling handed down by a judge in Superior Court Wednesday. It tells the defense and the prosecution what can and cannot be admitted in Clements' trial scheduled for Jan. 11.

A year ago, the court decided to sever the two cases, so Clements will face two trials.

Wednesday's hearing only deals with the Maribel Gonzalez case and the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Judge Deborah Bernini ruled the following child erotica and children's photos on the MySecret app from defendant's cellphone will be allowed.

Judge Bernini comments in part the subject matter of the erotica and photographs indicate a fixation with mostly young Hispanic females with an apparent age range of under ten years of age. The photographs support the state's argument that show motive, intent, opportunity and plan.

However, the judge adds none of the photographs that fall into the definition of "child pornography" may be used at either homicide trial.

Audio, video and verbatim transcripts of the statements made by the defendant to the FBI shall not be admissible at the trial of Maribel Gonzalez, referred to as M.G. in the documents.

The cell phone location information, including but not limited to location information, SMS messages and text messages, that allegedly place the defendant or any of his devices near the area where M.G.'s remains were found shall be admissible at that trial only. Also internet searches. for "Maribel Victor Gonzalez," "Maribel Gonzalez," "Tucson East Lawn Cemetery hours," "trace evidence found on body" and searches related to the M.G. Investigation but do not reference I.C. (Isabel Celis) may be used at the trial for M.G.

In issuing this ruling, Judge Bernini said the court has reviewed the evidence with an eye precluding evidence that may be so prejudicial that it would deprive the defendant from receiving a fair trial.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

ONLY ON KOLD: FBI interrogation videos show deal accused child killer tried to make with special agents

The KOLD Investigates Team obtained new video of the man accused of killing two Tucson girls.

www.kold.com

Only on KOLD: FBI interrogation videos shows deal accused child killer tried to make with special agents​

The KOLD Investigates Team obtained new video of the man accused of killing two Tucson girls.

The videos, that were recorded in 2017, show the negotiation Christopher Clements made with the FBI last night.

That deal led to the discovery of Isabel Celis’ remains, a six-year-old who went missing from her home in April 2012.

While in Pima County, Clements negotiated to have his burglary charges dropped and his car released from law enforcement in exchange for the location of Isabel Celis’ remains.

 

[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.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Judge: No cameras allowed in trial of man accused of killing Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzalez

TUCSON (KVOA) - Cameras will not be allowed inside the courtroom during the trial of the man accused of murdering Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzales, following a judge's ruling that

www.kvoa.com

Judge: No cameras allowed in trial of man accused of killing Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzalez​

Cameras will not be allowed inside the courtroom during the trial of the man accused of murdering Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzales, following a judge's ruling tat officially went into effect Monday.

Christopher Clements, who is accused of killing 6-year-old Celis in 2012 and 13-year-old Gonzalez two years later, will begin the first of two trials in April.

On Monday morning, Judge Deborah Bernini said she would not allow video coverage of the upcoming trial.

Pima Superior Court officials say the ruling came in large part due to coverage that has already aired, which may have possibly tainted the jury pool.

As the trial needs a continuance twice, the judge says the ruling was made in order to summon more jurors and make sure Clements is afforded due process. Monday's ruling was also made with concern for Clements' safety.

The judge also noted her decision to have no cameras in the courtroom was also made to help accommodate the limited space in the courtroom due to COVID-19 protocols.

 

[Kimster]

Judge: No cameras allowed in trial of man accused of killing Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzalez

TUCSON (KVOA) - Cameras will not be allowed inside the courtroom during the trial of the man accused of murdering Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzales, following a judge's ruling that

www.kvoa.com

Judge: No cameras allowed in trial of man accused of killing Isabel Celis, Maribel Gonzalez​

Cameras will not be allowed inside the courtroom during the trial of the man accused of murdering Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzales, following a judge's ruling tat officially went into effect Monday.

Christopher Clements, who is accused of killing 6-year-old Celis in 2012 and 13-year-old Gonzalez two years later, will begin the first of two trials in April.

On Monday morning, Judge Deborah Bernini said she would not allow video coverage of the upcoming trial.

Pima Superior Court officials say the ruling came in large part due to coverage that has already aired, which may have possibly tainted the jury pool.

As the trial needs a continuance twice, the judge says the ruling was made in order to summon more jurors and make sure Clements is afforded due process. Monday's ruling was also made with concern for Clements' safety.

The judge also noted her decision to have no cameras in the courtroom was also made to help accommodate the limited space in the courtroom due to COVID-19 protocols.

I don't understand the reasoning since having cameras in the trial isn't going to taint the jury pool - they'll already be chosen!

 

[GrandmaBear]

I don't understand the reasoning since having cameras in the trial isn't going to taint the jury pool - they'll already be chosen!

Yeah things like this strike me "hokey". she could also have a camera in the courtroom so there is openness after a verdict even. No one says it has to be live...

Why is it in this day and age a video recording with voice is not used in every hearing and trial? I can only think of a reason or two for that... it is right up there with why a cop wouldn't use a body cam but people aren't yelling about the lack of cameras in courtrooms yet quite as loudly... They should imo.

 

[Kimster]

Yeah things like this strike me "hokey". she could also have a camera in the courtroom so there is openness after a verdict even. No one says it has to be live...

Why is it in this day and age a video recording with voice is not used in every hearing and trial? I can only think of a reason or two for that... it is right up there with why a cop wouldn't use a body cam but people aren't yelling about the lack of cameras in courtrooms yet quite as loudly... They should imo.

When the cameras weren’t working in the McStay case, it was really hard to follow the trial. I agree with you, except when they start showing exhibits and things like that, it gets lost in the translation.