Category: Court News

LAKE HAVASU CITY – A sentencing hearing last month for a Lake Havasu City man who stabbed his father lacked some suspense because prison punishment was mandated in the plea agreement convicting Markos Martinez, 22, of two aggravated assault charges. “The Court has no discretion,” said Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert. “I’m sending you to prison for 10 years. That’s your agreement with the state.” One assault conviction involves the August 18 stabbing at his father’s home in the 3600 block of Swordfish Drive. The other is for Martinez punching a police officer while trying to resist arrest….

KINGMAN – Information and input regarding his mental health issues helped a Mohave Valley man avoid a prison sentence. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert placed David Barton, 58, on supervised probation for five years during a July 22 hearing in Kingman. Barton pleaded guilty to aggravated assault stemming from a March, 2018 incident in the 700 block of Center Street. A male victim told Mohave County sheriff’s deputies that a struggle occurred after Barton argued with him over a borrowed ATV tire. The man said Barton grabbed him and dragged him along while driving his vehicle, resulting in…

A Tuesday shootout in Golden Valley that sent two men to the hospital remains under investigation by the Mohave County Sheriff’s office. Officers responded in force at 2:47 p.m. to a report that at least one man had been shot in the 4200 block of N. Estrella Rd. “Deputies and detectives located the first male subject and observed the gunshot wound,” said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. “A sweep of the property was conducted and the second male subject was located and was also found to have a gunshot wound.” Mortensen said both men were transported to Kingman Regional Medical…

What began as a routine traffic stop evolved into a skirmish when sheriff’s deputies tried to take the driver into custody last Friday in the north Mohave County community of Cane Beds. Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said the incident began at about 10:30 a.m. when deputies noticed a vehicle with a faulty brake light committing traffic violations. Deputies pulled over the vehicle on highway 389, recognizing its driver as Ezra Barlow, knowing the 36 year old Colorado City resident to be named in an arrest warrant. “Deputies observed Barlow was gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were…

An inmate serving prison time for drug convictions will spend more time behind bars after pleading guilty to possessing dangerous drugs for sale while housed in the state prison facility in Golden Valley. A 2023 release date had been in effect for Joseph Valdez, 46, who is serving a nine year sentence for Maricopa County drug convictions. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert, however, imposed another seven year sentence July 23 that will run consecutive to Valdez’ nine year hitch. Lambert said using and selling drugs in a prison facility is dangerous for inmates and guards alike. Prosecutor Megan…