FORT MOHAVE — The criminal case against a Fort Mohave man charged in the accidental shooting death of his best friend since childhood will get a reboot after a defective plea agreement was scuttled at a March 13 hearing in Kingman. Jeremy Mcryhew, 40, previously pleaded guilty to attempted negligent homicide in the death of Cody Waltz, 40, Apple Valley, California.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office reported that Waltz was fatally injured during an attempted firearm exchange at Mcryhew’s Fort Mohave home in the 4000 block of Cavalry Road on April 5, 2001. Authorities said Mcryhew was handing a loaded firearm to Waltz that discharged, resulting in death following transport to Valley View Medical Center.
Though he previously accepted the plea deal, Judge Jantzen determined it was “illegal” because the law does not support a conviction for attempted negligent homicide.
Judge Jantzen scheduled a March 27 status hearing to determine what happens next with the case. He likely won’t finish it, given an April 30 retirement date and the transition of his criminal case court calendar to Court Commissioner Ryan Esplin.
