Category: Court News

KINGMAN – The arraignment of defendants in criminal court proceedings is most commonly mundane, ministerial and uneventful. It was no different when Daniel Avila finally made his first local court appearance on May 16, nearly two years after he allegedly killed a Kingman area couple. Avila, 26, El Mirage, faces prosecution for the June 27, 2022 shooting deaths of Retta Atkins, 73, also known as the “Gold Lady”, and Darren VanHouten, 50, at their home on the backside of the Hualapai Mountains from Kingman. Eerie surveillance system video from their residence in the 2900 block of Dilligaf Road reveals a subject…

KINGMAN – A Kingman woman faces more than a decade behind bars after pleading guilty in a deadly traffic accident on Thursday, May 16. Liana Wellington, 35, will be convicted of manslaughter and aggravated driving while impaired. Authorities said Wellington was speeding and intoxicated when the Nissan Altima she was operating struck a Kia Soul that was turning right on Highway 68 in Golden Valley on Dec. 27, 2023. The driver of the Kia, Warren Hutchinson, 81, was fatally injured. Deputy Mohave County Attorney Jacob Cote told Judge Doug Camacho that Wellington was speeding at about 96 miles per hour just…

BULLHEAD CITY – The Bullhead City Police Department will be hosting a free Vehicle Theft Prevention & Awareness event, where officers will provide free VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Etching. The etching equipment was provided by the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA) to help law enforcement agencies reduce stolen vehicles.    “VIN etching is chemically etching the vehicle identification number onto all windows, which discourages thieves from stealing your vehicle and selling your car parts to unsuspecting customers or chop shops,” said Community Services Officer Lorrie Duggins.   The public is invited to the Bullhead City Police Department, 1255 Marina Boulevard,…

BULLHEAD CITY – On May11 at around 5:55 p.m., police arrested Anthony Adams Spinharney, 42, at Rotary Park for aggravated assault with a dangerous instrument and disorderly conduct with a dangerous instrument. It was reported that Spinharney (for unknown reasons) started recklessly waving a machete style knife near the skate park area, while walking toward people. He was yelling aggressively, causing numerous people to fear for their safety. When officers arrived on scene, he ran from police toward the beach area. He ultimately complied with officer’s commands and was taken into custody. No injuries were reported. He was booked into…

KINGMAN – Attorney’s agree that there are no videos, eye witnesses or physical evidence to present, and that credibility assessments will prove key in what they call a “he-sad/she-said” sex offense trial that began Monday at the Law and Justice Center in Kingman. Keith Jones, 22, is charged with five counts each of sexual assault and sexual conduct with a minor for allegedly forcing himself upon an underage female teenager on multiple occasions at three Kingman homes over a two-year period ending on Dec. 31, 2022. Prosecutor Leah Nelson said the families of the victim and defendant have been closely…

KINGMAN – Two men charged with the armed robbery of a Kingman bank made separate local court appearances on Friday, May 10. Mario Fragassi, 53, Golden Valley, and Christopher Ayala, 49, California, are held in the Adult Detention Center awaiting trial. Authorities allege Fragassi robbed the Hualapai Mountain Road branch of Mission Bank on Feb. 26 before hopping in the getaway vehicle driven by Ayala. They reportedly drove to the Napa Auto Parts store in the 2500 block of Andy Devine Ave., where Fragassi was wounded in a gunfire exchange with Kingman police, while Ayala was able to call a…