Category: Court News

LAKE HAVASU CITY – A Lake Havasu City woman charged in the death of her daughter is rolling the dice on a possible life-long prison term rather than accept a plea agreement offer that mandates a 5- to 10-year sentence. 27-year-old Brittany Rodriquez has opted to go to trial on a first-degree murder charge rather than enter a deal that would convict her of attempted child abuse. Prosecutor Jacob Cote told the court during a Wednesday hearing that he would negotiate no further and that his offer would expire by the end of the day. Rodriquez held her ground and…

KINGMAN – A Kingman woman has pleaded guilty to first degree murder in the death of her own mother. A plea agreement for Carrie Vanover, 24, was entered during a Wednesday hearing before Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle. Terms of the deal are identical to a plea agreement recently entered for Vanover’s boyfriend Mark Baldonado, 32, Kingman. Baldonado was recently sentenced to life in prison, which in this case means that he will have to serve at least 25 years before eligible for release from prison. The same punishment is specified for Vanover who is scheduled to be…

KINGMAN – Possessing 2.5 ounces of methamphetamine will result in a trip to the Arizona Department of Corrections for a Golden Valley resident. Timothy Shaddy, 38, entered a plea agreement on June 4. Prosecutor Jonathon Robinson told the Court that Shaddy was westbound when the vehicle he was driving was stopped on Route 66 just outside Kingman on February 16. He said discovery of a meth pipe in plain view established probable cause to search the vehicle from which 69 grams of meth, baggies, a digital scale and a weapon were confiscated. Shaddy pleaded guilty to misconduct involving weapons and…

KINGMAN – A Kingman man who killed his girlfriend’s mother was given a “life prison” sentence during a June 5 hearing at the Mohave County courthouse. The punishment is mandated in the plea agreement for Mark Baldonado, 32. Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle explained that Baldonado may never get out of prison but he would have to serve 25 calendar years before his release becomes possible. Baldonado told the Court that he was messed up on drugs in the period leading up to the homicide. He said getting off drugs and finding God while jailed will help him rehabilitate and…