Day 2: The Hernandez-Serrano murder trial

Several people in a Yuma courthouse burst into tears Tuesday after a witness described the murder scene he encountered January 21, 2016.

According to the first anonymous witness to take the stand, a Honduran man was found shot to death in a produce field off 9 1/4 E. and Highway 95 in Yuma.

Francisco Hernandez-Serrano faces first-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy of murder charges following the death of Emmanuel Alvaranga-Navarrete.

The state argued Hernandez-Serrano was a key participant in Navarrete’s death.

However, Jose Alfredo Ruano Sorto is another suspect in the case and took a plea deal in October 18, 2017.

He was charged with second-degree murder and is now serving a 22-year long sentence at the Arizona State Prison Complex.

Witnesses took the stand Tuesday, including the man who found Navarrete’s body. He said the victim’s shirt was lifted up and his pants were partially down.

The defense said Serrano is not an accomplice, but only a witness.

“The fact that Mr. Hernandez is roommates with Mr. Sorto doesn’t mean he’s an accomplice,” the defense attorney said. “Because he’s present, because he knows him, because he has some knowledge.”

“This case involves a number of mishandles investigations,” he said. “A series of mistakes, flaws, […] and you [the jury] will have to sort all that out.”

Moreover, witnesses said that it looked like the body had been dragged to the area the body was found.

This trial will continue Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Yuma County Courthouse.