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Thread: Justin James Rector Sentenced in 2014 AZ Murder of 8-Year-Old Isabella Grogan-Cannella

  1. #91
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    After more than three years, no trial date on horizon in Rector case

    By JIM SECKLER
    The Mohave Valley Daily News

    KINGMAN — The defense attorneys for a Bullhead City man potentially facing the death penalty are wading through mountains of evidence and other discovery.

    Justin James Rector, 29, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body for the Sept. 2, 2014, death of Isabella Grogan-Cannella. He is charged with murdering the 8-year-old girl and leaving her body in a shallow grave near her Bullhead City home.

    He is being held in county jail without bond.

    After three months on the job, Rector’s attorney, Quinn Jolly, said Friday that he is making progress in the case, going through all the evidence and other documents. Getting documents from the previous attorney has proven to be difficult, he said.

    Deputy Mohave County Greg McPhillips also told the judge that the case is moving forward with the new attorneys on board and will soon give the defense a compact disc with interviews that have been conducted.

    Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen suggested that in order to move the case along, Quinn file a motion if needed so he could order the previous defense attorney, Gerald Gavin, to disclose any documents or evidence in the case. Gavin had the case for more than two years. The judge also set Rector’s next hearing for Jan. 19.

    Jantzen previously granted an extension of time for Rector’s co-counsel, Julia Cassels, to file a motion to remand Rector’s 2017 aggravated assault case back to the grand jury. Cassels, who represents the defendant in that case, has until Jan. 24 to file that motion.

    Jolly was assigned to Rector’s death penalty murder case in September. Cassels was assigned to the case in July 2016. Two death penalty-qualified attorneys are required in a capital murder case. Rector’s trial date has not been set.

    http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/...00b18d687.html

  2. #92
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    Prosecution of murdered 8-year-old girl stretching into fourth year

    By Jim Seckler
    The Mohave Valley Daily News

    KINGMAN — The Superior Court judge in the Bullhead City death penalty case said progress is being made with a new attorney on board.

    Justin James Rector, 29, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body in the September 2014 death of 8-year-old Isabella Grogan-Cannella. He faces the death penalty if convicted.

    Rector’s primary attorney, Quinn Jolly, said Friday that he has reviewed most of the evidence in the case and will start with the mitigation process. He also expects to set up and conduct some of the interviews by the next court hearing.

    Deputy Mohave County Greg McPhillips said he wants to resolve the mental health issue through an examination. McPhillips also put on the record that there are still victims in the case including Bella’s sister and grandmother.

    Ralph Folster III and Bella’s mother, Tania Ann Grogan, who left Bella and her then 10-year-old sister in Rector’s care the night of the murder, are serving prison sentences unrelated to Bella’s death. Folster is serving 20 years in prison and Grogan is serving a five-year sentence, both on drug charges.

    Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen granted several motions filed in March 2017 by the previous defense attorney, including disclosure of cell phone data and autopsy reports. Jantzen also granted a December 2014 motion to vacate a state request for mental health records. The judge set Rector’s next hearing for March 23.

    Grogan reported her daughter missing from her Lakeside Drive home in the early morning hours of Sept. 2, 2014. Her body was found the next afternoon in a shallow grave in a wash about a half-mile from her home. The cause of Bella’s death was ruled to be asphyxiation by strangulation.

    Rector was arrested later that morning. He reportedly told detectives that he smoked methamphetamine throughout the day of the murder.

    Rector also is charged in a newer case with three counts of aggravated assault after he allegedly assaulted a detention officer July 17 in his jail cell. He is being held in county jail without bond.

    Jolly was assigned to Rector’s murder case in September 2017. Julia Cassels was assigned as co-counsel in July 2016. Two death penalty qualified attorneys are required in a capital murder case. Cassels represents Rector in the 2017 case. Rector’s trial has not been set.

    http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/...75b324dcd.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  3. #93
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    Prosecutors won't seek death penalty now in Bullhead City child murder

    KINGMAN, Ariz. (AP) - State prosecutors say they're no longer seeking the death penalty for a man charged with killing an 8-year-old girl in Bullhead City in 2014.

    In paperwork filed Thursday in Mohave County Superior Court, prosecutors withdrew their notice to seek the death penalty for Justin James Rector but say they still intend to seek a first-degree murder conviction at his trial.

    Prosecutors say "there's no reasonable likelihood of the death penalty actually being imposed in a realistic and efficient timeframe given the current state of affairs surrounding people sentenced to death."

    Rector is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body in the September 2014 death of Isabella "Bella" Grogan-Cannella.

    The girl's partially clothed body was found in a shallow grave near her Bullhead City home.

    https://www.ktnv.com/news/arizona-pr...ector_45435399
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
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  4. #94
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    Judge to set Rector trial date at next hearing

    By Hubble Ray Smith
    The Kingman Daily Miner

    KINGMAN – Last week’s decision by prosecutors to withdraw the death penalty for Justin James Rector, who is accused of child kidnapping, rape and murder wasn’t well received by the public, but it’ll go a long way toward getting the trial started 3½ years after the crime was committed.

    Mohave Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen on Tuesday ordered the next court hearing for March 23, at which time he plans to set a trial date.

    The court cannot force the state to keep its intent to seek the death penalty for Rector, Jantzen said. The judge met briefly with attorneys from both sides and discussed the court’s position.

    Jantzen told Rector that he’ll only be represented by one attorney instead of two now that the death penalty is off the table, and the mandatory obligation of having a mitigation specialist is also no longer in effect.

    “Mr. Rector, you are to be represented by one counsel and the mitigation representative is going to be dismissed,” Jantzen said.

    Public defender Quinn Jolly said he’ll withdraw from the case, leaving co-counsel Julia Cassels as Rector’s lone attorney.

    “It is my desire to keep this case and continue to represent Justin,” Cassels told the judge. “I’ve been on the case for some time.”

    Cassels was assigned to the case as second counsel in June 2016, following Ron Gilleo’s withdrawal due to a conflict of interest. Rector changed lawyers again in July following an “ethical conflict of interest” with defense attorney Gerald Gavin.

    The discovery process, or gathering of evidence, in Rector’s case is voluminous, with some 1,250 pages provided by the state, along with hundreds of hours of recorded witness statements and interviews.

    “The sheer amount of time counsel has invested in reviewing the discovery and becoming familiar with it is striking,” Cassels said in her motion to remain as counsel.

    “A change in counsel would be devastating to Mr. Rector, as he has already had a series of replacements of his attorneys due to factors entirely out of his control.”

    Jantzen asked if there was any need to discuss release conditions.

    “I don’t think so. Nothing has changed from the state’s position,” prosecuting attorney Greg McPhillips answered.

    Rector is charged with first-degree murder and other charges in the death of 8-year-old Bella Grogan-Cannella of Bullhead City in September 2014. The girl’s body was found in a shallow desert grave not far from her home, where Rector was staying.

    The girl’s mother, Tonia Ann Grogan, and stepfather, Ralph Leroy Folster, are in prison on charges of dealing methamphetamine.

    https://kdminer.com/news/2018/feb/20...-next-hearing/
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
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  5. #95
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    Rector attorney requests records disclosure, notes smaller staff

    By Jim Seckler
    The Mohave Valley Daily News

    KINGMAN — The remaining attorney for a Bullhead City murder suspect is asking for critical evidence she says is vital to her case.

    Julia Cassels, the attorney for Justin James Rector, filed a motion Thursday to disclose medical examiner records and notes, cell phone records and passwords to access FBI files. A trial date could not be set without the information, some of which was requested last March.

    Rector, 29, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body for the September 2014 death of 8-year-old Isabella Grogan-Cannella. He is being held in county jail without bond. Rector also is charged with three counts of aggravated assault stemming from the assault of a detention officer July 17, 2017.

    Cassels said that since prosecutors took the death penalty off the table, the number of defense staff working on the case went from five to two people, who have to go through mountains of evidence. A mitigation expert also was relieved from the case.

    Deputy Mohave County Attorney Greg McPhillips said he plans to meet with Cassels April 2 to go over all the evidence that has not been disclosed, including three compact discs from the FBI and one CD from the Bullhead City Police Department. McPhillips recently withdrew the death penalty in the case.

    Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen set a status hearing and a hearing, if needed, to argue Cassels’ motion for May 21. The judge also granted up to another $2,500 for Cassels’ remaining support staff.

    Grogan-Cannella and her then 10-year-old sister were left in Rector’s care the night of Sept. 2, 2014, when their parents went to a department store. When the parents returned, they reported Bella missing from their Lakeside Drive home.

    Grogan-Cannella’s body was found in a shallow grave in a wash about a half-mile from her home. The cause of

    Grogan-Cannella’s death was asphyxiation by strangulation. Rector was arrested later that morning.

    http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/...8e60a9280.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  6. #96
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    Prosecutors request dismissal of motion from Rector defense

    BY JIM SECKLER
    The Mohave Valley Daily News

    KINGMAN — The prosecutor in a Bullhead City murder case is seeking to dismiss a defense motion to compel the release of evidence.

    Justin James Rector, 29, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body in the September 2014 death of 8-year-old Isabella Grogan-Cannella. He is being held in county jail without bond.

    Rector’s attorney, Julia Cassels, filed a motion in March to disclose medical examiner records and notes, cell phone records and passwords to access FBI files. A trial date could not be set without the information, she said.

    Deputy Mohave County Attorney Greg McPhillips filed a response, arguing that he has re-disclosed evidence that Cassels has requested and that her motion to compel should be dismissed. The prosecutor already sent evidence to the previous defense attorney, McPhillips wrote.

    Several meetings between the attorneys have been cancelled and McPhillips cannot address all of Cassels’ concerns with disclosure until they meet to discuss what still needs to be disclosed, he said, including compact discs from the FBI and the Bullhead City Police Department as well as photos of a garbage bin.

    The next hearing before Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen is set for May 21. McPhillips recently withdrew the death penalty against Rector.

    http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/...34a263419.html
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
    1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

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    May 21, 2018

    Rector’s defense wants full disclosure of evidence

    By Hubble Ray Smith
    The Kingman Daily Miner

    KINGMAN – The defense attorney for first-degree murder suspect Justin James Rector is asking for more evidence to be disclosed before setting a trial date, including recordings and data from all electronic devices confiscated by police during the investigation.

    Julia Cassels filed a motion to compel prosecutors to turn over specific items related to medical examiner records, content of electronic devices and documents from the FBI.

    She said there were at least eight cell phones, computers, tablets and other devices seized by the state, and she wants to review the contents of all those devices.

    During a court hearing Monday, Cassels told Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen that records from the medical examiner were “woefully lacking” compared with past medical records that she has received in murder cases.

    The former medical examiner was on the scene and did not submit any notes or diagrams, she said.

    “Not one word about her being on the scene. It’s shocking to me,” Cassels said.

    The final item she requested is from FBI files in digital format that cannot be printed without password access.

    Prosecuting attorney Greg McPhillips said he met with Cassels on May 15 and found about nine different discs that needed to be disclosed again to the defense.

    “We went through full disclosure on May 15 to make sure they have all the same things I have and we asked to move forward with interviews,” McPhillips said. “We still need to get this case set for trial.”

    The state has disclosed everything in existence, he said.

    As for the FBI passwords, McPhillips said he finds it a little “silly.” Of the hundreds of documents he viewed, only two files could not be printed, and they were methodology and procedure, not actual exhibits, the attorney noted.

    Rector is charged with first-degree murder, kidnap and assault in the death of 8-year-old Bella Grogan-Cannella of Bullhead City in September 2014. The girl’s body was found in a shallow desert grave not far from her home where Rector was staying.

    The girl’s mother, Tonia Ann Grogan, and stepfather, Ralph Leroy Folster, are in prison on charges of dealing methamphetamine.

    Cassells said some of the electronic devices were seized by the state during an arrest of Bella’s mother and stepfather, and belonged to various people who either lived at the home or were there the night of the murder.

    Judge Jantzen said it does sound “concerning” that some of the evidence taken in the drug case is not included in the murder case, and that information needs to be revealed and relayed to Cassells. He set the next hearing for 11 a.m. Monday, July 30.

    https://kdminer.com/news/2018/may/21...sure-evidence/

  8. #98
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    Prosecutors express frustration at delays in Rector case

    BY JIM SECKLER
    The Mohave Valley Daily News

    KINGMAN — Frustration is mounting in the four-year-old murder case of a Bullhead City man.

    Justin James Rector, 30, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body in the September 2014 death of 8-year-old Isabella Grogan-Cannella. He is being held in the Mohave County Jail without bond.

    Rector’s attorney, Julia Cassels, on Monday continued to argue a motion that she filed in March dealing with three issues, including the disclosure of medical examiner records. She also said a compact disc containing cell phone records couldn’t be opened. The last issue deals with passwords to access FBI files.

    Deputy Mohave County Attorney Greg McPhillips said he is getting frustrated with the lack of progress on the case. He said he sent all the medical examiner’s documents to the defense in June, as well as the compact disc containing cell phone records.

    “We’ve done nothing on the case since May,” McPhillips said.

    He said he also sent recordings of interviews to the defense last November. He also has asked the defense to set up additional interview dates and provide defense disclosure but has not heard back. McPhillips asked the judge to set a trial date in the four-year-old case.

    Cassels countered that she lost three-fifths of her defense team when the prosecutor withdrew the death penalty against Rector in February. She said she has been in “clean-up mode,” going through the mountains of evidence in the case. Cassels was assigned to the case in July 2016.

    Cassels said she is moving forward in the case and has no interest in dragging it out. But she said she wants her client to have a fair trial and doesn’t want a retrial like in the Darrell Ketchner murder case. She also asked to interview FBI agents in person in Virginia.

    Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen suggested both parties communicate more often and encouraged them to move the case forward. He set the next hearing for Sept. 7.

    Grogan-Cannella and her 10-year-old sister were left in Rector’s care the night of Sept. 2, 2014, when their parents went to a department store. When they returned, they reported Grogan-Cannella missing from their Lakeside Drive home.

    The girl’s body was found in a shallow grave in a wash about a half-mile from her home. The cause of death was asphyxiation by strangulation. Rector was arrested later that morning.

    Rector also is charged with three counts of aggravated assault for allegedly assaulting a detention officer July 17, 2017, in his jail cell.

    http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/...d5e09e9c4.html
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
    1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

  9. #99
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    Prosecutor requests Rector trial date be set

    BY JIM SECKLER
    The Mohave Valley Daily News

    KINGMAN — The prosecutor in a four-year-old Bullhead City murder case is asking to set a trial date.

    Justin James Rector, 30, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body in the 2014 death of 8-year-old Isabella Grogan-Cannella. He is being held in the Mohave County Jail in Kingman without bond. He also is charged with three counts of aggravated assault for allegedly assaulting a detention officer July 17, 2017, in his jail cell.

    Deputy Mohave County Attorney Greg McPhillips filed a motion late Tuesday giving the judge notice that the victim’s family is requesting a speedy trial. He also filed a motion asking the judge to set a trial date at Rector’s next hearing.

    McPhillips said that at a July 30 hearing, Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen ordered that both sides set up times for interviews. The defense attorney is refusing to give any dates for the interviews, McPhillips said

    McPhillips said he provided Rector’s attorneys a list of his witnesses to interview in 2014, 2015 and again on Tuesday. There are about 100 witnesses to interview. With the defense refusing to take part, the prosecutor is asking to waive the interviews, which are time consuming.

    Rector’s next hearing is set for Sept. 7. He is being represented by Julia Cassels, who was assigned to the case in July 2016. Cassels recently said that she had lost three-fifths of her defense team when McPhillips withdrew the death penalty against her client in February.

    Grogan-Cannella and her 10-year-old sister were left in Rector’s care the night of Sept. 2, 2014, when their parents went to a department store. When they returned, they reported the girl missing from their Lakeside Drive home.

    Grogan-Cannella’s body was found in a shallow grave in a wash about a half-mile from her home. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation by strangulation. Rector was arrested later that morning.

    http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/...da8ff3b97.html
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
    1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

  10. #100
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    Attorney threatens to withdraw from case

    By JIM SECKLER
    The Mohave Valley Daily News

    KINGMAN — The defense attorney for a Bullhead City murder suspect is asking to interview the state witnesses or she may withdraw from the case.

    Justin James Rector, 30, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse and abandonment of a dead body for the September 2014 death of 8-year-old Isabella Grogan-Cannella. He is being held without bond.

    Rector’s attorney, Julia Cassels, filed a motion Thursday to order the prosecutor to disclose more evidence including items seized by the Bullhead City Police Department and FBI. She also wants any photographs and items taken from a dumpster at the T-Mobile store on Highway 95.

    Cassels is asking the prosecutor to disclose information on the seizure of electronic devices in the investigation of drug cases against Grogan-Cannella’s parents, Tania Grogan and Ralph Folster III. The defense attorney said she can’t proceed without the three items.

    In another motion, Cassels responded to McPhillips’ recent motion asking the judge to set a trial at Rector’s next hearing. The victim’s family requested a speedy trial.

    Cassels countered McPhillips’ claim that she has not provided dates to set up interviews. She said she provided the prosecutor dates in August and September for the interviews. The defense attorney wants to conduct the interviews in person. There are 94 witnesses to interview.

    Cassels stated that she has other cases pending and that she is undergoing medical procedures throughout the summer and fall. She disputed McPhillips’ claim that she is “playing games,” saying Rector’s life is not a game.

    Cassels is asking to re-interview the witnesses already interviewed by Rector’s previous attorney. Cassels, who was assigned to the case in July of 2016, is the fourth lead attorney to represent Rector in the 4-year-old case.

    Cassels, of Phoenix, recently said that she lost three-fifths of her defense team when McPhillips withdrew the death penalty against her client in February. She was co-counsel before the death penalty was withdrawn.

    Cassels is asking the judge to order the state’s witnesses to be available for interviews or preclude McPhillips from calling those witnesses at trial. If the judge grants McPhillips’ motion to set a trial or waives the interviews, Cassels said she would withdraw as Rector’s attorney. Rector’s next hearing is set for Sept. 7.

    Grogan-Cannella and her then 10-year-old sister were left in Rector’s care the night of Sept. 2, 2014 when their parents went to a department store. When they returned, they called police after the girl was discovered missing from their Lakeside Drive home.

    The girl’s body was found in a shallow grave in a wash about a half mile from her home. The cause of death was asphyxiation by strangulation. Rector was arrested later that morning.

    http://www.mohavedailynews.com/news/...640db9543.html
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
    1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

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