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Former Arizona lawmaker’s sex crimes case ends in mistrial

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge declared a mistrial in the case of former Arizona state Senator Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete, who was indicted in 2021 on seven counts of sexual crimes against children. 

The trial rested largely on the testimony of two of Navarrete’s nephews, who court documents say are the victims. But after close to a week of deliberation, the jury could not reach a verdict. 

Navarrete’s defense attorney, Adam Feldman, argued that the alleged victims had lied about the abuse to take Navarrete down, but as the prosecution noted, he did not present a motive. 

In 2021, police recorded a phone call between Navarrete and one of his nephews in which Navarrete apologizes for “actions” and expresses his “regret” but does not say specifically what he is apologizing for.

Navarrete told the jury that he did not think his nephew was referring to the crimes he was accused of, and claimed he did not know what he was being arrested for when police took him into custody after the phone call.

Attorneys made their closing arguments in the case last week. The jury would have had to find Navarrete guilty beyond a “reasonable doubt” to convict him. 

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to say whether they will refile the case but provided a brief statement saying they will consider the matter.

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Camryn Sanchez is a field correspondent at KJZZ covering everything to do with state politics.