KINGMAN – The state intends to call a veritable parade of police officers to testify in the upcoming trial of an alleged bank robber who was wounded by law enforcement in Kingman early this year.
Chief Deputy Mohave County Attorney James Schoppmann has listed about 20 members of the Kingman Police Department as witnesses who will testify in the trial of Mario Fragassi, 53, Golden Valley. About 10 members of the Lake Havasu City Police Department will also be called by the state because the agency conducted an independent investigation of the Kingman police shooting.
Judge Billy Sipe said during a Monday hearing that he doesn’t believe he’s ever seen so many witnesses summoned to one trial.
Fragassi faces two robbery related charges for the Feb. 26 stick up at Mission Bank on Hualapai Mountain Road. He is also charged with seven counts of aggravated assault.
Authorities allege Fragassi robbed the bank before hopping in a getaway vehicle driven by co-defendant Christopher Ayala, 49, California. They reportedly fled to the Napa Auto Parts store, where Fragassi was wounded in a gunfire exchange with Kingman police, while Ayala used a cab to flee before being arrested the next day.
Ayala entered a plea agreement and is serving an eight-year prison sentence for robbery and 1.5 years for unlawful use of means of transportation.
Judge Sipe said affirmed a Dec. 30 evidentiary hearing for attorneys to provide oral argument on pre-trial motions. Jury selection will begin Jan. 14 for a trial that attorneys believe will take seven days to complete.
Dave Hawkins
