Pima County Attorney's Office
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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The start of the New Year brings cooler temperatures and the end of the holiday season. It is a great time to enjoy everything Tucson has to offer, and to spend time with loved ones and friends, near and far. We wrapped up 2016 with an activity-packed December, including the 3rd annual National Vigil for Gun Violence Victims and National Gun Violence Sabbath Weekend. In addition, we partnered with Uber to offer safe rides on New Years Eve.
We have several upcoming opportunities for you to learn more about the Pima County Attorney’s Office, either as a victim services volunteer, or as an attendee at the Citizens Prosecution Academy. Click here and here for more information.
January 8, 2011 is a day many of us will never forget, and this is the fifth anniversary. This year’s memorial will be a Human Embrace Event at Hi Corbett field. Click here for the details.
January is also Stalking Awareness Month. You may not be aware that more than 7.5 million Americans experience some form of stalking each year. For tips to protect yourself and others, and for a link to resources, please see our story here.
February is the 10th anniversary of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Sponsored by Love Is Respect, it is a month to draw awareness to promoting healthy relationships among our youth and young adults. There is more information here.
As 2017 launches, I am excited to celebrate my 42nd year with the Pima County Attorney’s Office, and my 6th term as your Pima County Attorney. I look forward to continuing to serve you all, and to pursuing justice in Pima County.
We will be back with the next newsletter next quarter.
Happy holidays and Happy 2017!
-- Barbara LaWall
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Stalking affects approximately 7.5 million Americans every year. Most of the time, the victim knows the person doing the stalking — either as a former intimate partner or as an acquaintance. Stalking can take the form of showing up in places where the victim doesn't them to be, making unwanted phone calls, leaving unwanted texts or voicemails, watching or following the victim from a distance, or spying. Weapons are used , either to threaten or harm, in 1 out of every 5 stalking cases. Victims often experience negative health effects, and frequently miss work due to the behavior.
It is helpful to know the signs, or that you can avoid danger yourself, or help out if you know is being stalked.
· If the danger is immediate, call 911.
· Develop a safety plan, including changing your routine.
· Tell others, so they can be alert and aware.
· Please seek help. Consider getting an Order of Protection or Injunction Against Harassment. The PCAO Victim Services division can provide information and assistance, and can be reached at 520-724-5525.
For more information and tips, go to www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org. |
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State v. Antonio Jerel Moore
Antonio Jerel Moore was convicted on October 4, 2016 of First Degree Murder, Domestic Violence. On November 7, 2016, Moore received a sentence of Natural Life in prison.
When Kathleen Deluche tried to break things off with Moore, giving him two days to move out, Moore’s anger escalated. He snuck into the back door of her apartment, and strangled Kathleen. She was able to break free, but then Moore found a long sword, and stabbed Kathleen 55 times, chasing her throughout the house as she tried to escape. Kathleen died from those injuries, and Moore left the apartment.
Kathleen’s 3-year-old son was in the apartment during the attack When he was found by a neighbor, he was able to say that, “Tony did it. I tried to help my mommy but I couldn’t.”
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Volunteer with Victim Services. YOU Can Make A Difference!
Are you interested in volunteering to help crime victims? Attend an informational meeting regarding the PCAO Victim Services Division’s training on Crisis Intervention and Victimology. Participants who complete the 6-week training are then qualified to assist crime victims, often reporting to the scene.
If you are interested, you must first attend an informational session. Those are being held Tuesday, January 31, 2016 or Tuesday, February 7, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at the Tucson Police Department Miracle Mile Substation (1310 W. Miracle Mile).
The training will require a six week commitment, every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., February 21 to April 6, 2017.
To RSVP for an informational session, or if you have questions, please call 520-724-5525.
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Prescription Abuse in Arizona:
Watch January 10, 2017.
Unintentional poisoning from prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999. Many heroin addicts report that their addiction actually began with use and abuse of prescription opioids. Students from ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism have produced a documentary on the rise of prescription opioid abuse. This is a follow-up to the award-winning 2014 documentary “Hooked: Tracking Heroin’s Hold on Arizona.”
Called “Hooked Rx,” the 30-minute show will air on January 10, on 30 broadcast-TV stations in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma. as well as 97 radio stations. Most stations will be airing at 6:30 p.m..
It will air on the following Tucson channels:
· KGUN (ABC)
· KHRR (Telemundo)
· KMSB (Fox)
· KOLD (CBS)
· KTTU (MyTV)
· KUAS (PBS)
· KUVE (Univision)
· KVOA (NBC)
· KWBA (CW)
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February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
Girls and young women, ages 16 to 24, experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence, at almost three times the national average. Two out of every three teens who experienced abuse never told anyone. More than half of parents were unable to identify the warning signs of abuse.
Here are some warning signs to look out for:
· Your child’s partner is extremely jealous or possessive
· You notice unexplained marks or bruises
· The partner sends excessive emails or texts
· Your child is suddenly no longer interested in activities, friends or family
If you think your child, or someone you know, is experiencing abuse, start a conversation. Tell them you are concerned for their safety. Be supportive and understanding. Offer to get them in touch with a professional.
Advocates and information are available 24/7 through Love Is Respect, www.loveisrespect.org., 866-331-9474, or text LOVEIS to 22522.
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State v. Luis Armando Vargas
Luis Armando Vargas was convicted of First Degree Murder, Burglary, Kidnapping, Arson, Theft of Means of Transportation, and Theft of a Credit Card. On September 12, 2016, he received a sentence of Natural Life in prison.
On Valentine’s Day 2008, 62-year-old Tucson Medical Center records clerk Kay Read disappeared from her home. Her front door was unlocked, and her phone and her crutches (Kay was disabled by childhood polio) were by the door. There was a space heater tipped over in the living room, with the electric cord ripped off. Her van was missing.
The van was found nearby that morning, set on fire with gasoline, shortly after Vargas was seen on videotape buying $1 of gas at a nearby gas station. He was also seen on video attempting to use Kay’s ATM card. Kay was never found.
After investigation, Vargas’s fingerprints were found on the space heater in Kay’s house. Vargas fled Tucson and was arrested in Bisbee.
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Got a New Gun? Lock Up Your Gun (for free)!
Get a free gun lock through CARGO (Communities Addressing Responsible Gun Ownership).
Nearly all unintentional shootings that involve children happen in or near the home. One of these shootings happened right here in Tucson this December.
Placing gun locks on all the firearms in your house is one step to protect you and your loved ones from tragedy.
To help prevent accidental shootings, Pima County Attorney’s Office is giving away free gun locks. All you have to do is contact CARGO at 520-724-4005.
CARGO — a collaboration between the County Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies, trauma surgeons, and physical therapists — has given away more than 80,000 gun locks since its inception.
For information on how to get a free gun lock, call CARGO, 520-724-4005.
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PCAO Citizens Prosecution Academy starts Feb. 28.
Are you interested in learning more about what we do here at Pima County Attorney’s Office? The Citizens Prosecution Academy is your perfect opportunity!
· Starting February 28th
· Every Tuesday and Thursday through March 23
· 6:00 p.m.—8:30 p.m.
· Tucson Police Department, West Miracle Mile substation, 1310 W. Miracle Mile, Tucson
Topics include: Overview of Criminal Justice System, Prosecuting Homicides; Death Penalty cases; Victim Services Division; optional tours of Pima County Jail, Az. State Prison, TPD Crime Lab, Juvenile Detention Center.
You must apply and be accepted in order to participate. The number of spaces is limited, so please apply early.
We hope you’ll join us!
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Save the Date: Human Embrace Event
January 8, 2017
January 8, 2011 is a day many of us will never forget. It was on that day when many Tucsonans fell victim to a vicious violent attack. Six people lost their lives: Christina-Taylor Green, Gabriel Zimmerman, Chief Federal District Judge John Roll, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck, and Dorwan Stoddard. Thirteen other people were shot and wounded, including U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was the target of an assassination attempt.
Please join us in honoring these victims and our community by attending the January 8th Human Embrace Event hosted by Tucson's January 8th Memorial Foundation.
DATE: Sunday, January 8, 2017
LOCATION: Hi Corbett Field. Gates open at 1:00 p.m., and the program will start promptly at 2:00 p.m..
DRESS: Attendees are asked to wear a white t-shirt. Participants will gather to create an embrace symbol on the field. The symbol was designed to communicate togetherness, solidarity, and empathy.
For details on the permanent memorial site plans, go to www.tucsonmemorial.org.
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