Man seeking a new trial, venue change in Tucson murder cases

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A man convicted last month in the first of two murder cases in Tucson is seeking a new trial, according to authorities.

Christopher Clements was convicted Sept. 30 of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.

Originally scheduled for Wednesday in Pima County Superior Court, the new sentencing date will now be on November 14.

Court officials also said Clements’ attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for judgment of acquittal not withstanding the verdict.

A hearing for both motions will start on November 7.

A judge also will hear testimony on November 14 for a possible change of venue.

The change is for Clements’ other murder trial, scheduled for February 2, 2023.

This involves the death of 6-year-old Isabel Celis.

Clements, a 40-year-old convicted sex offender with a long criminal record, is facing life in prison for his sentencing in the Gonzalez case.

The police arrested Clements in 2018 and indicted on 22 felony counts including two counts each of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the girls’ deaths.

Celis vanished from her parents’ home in April 2012 while Gonzalez disappeared while walking to a friend’s house in June 2014.

Authorities said they had found Gonzalez’s body days after her disappearance while Celis’ remains went unsolved until 2017 after Clements led federal agents to the location.

Clements currently is serving a prison term of up to 35 years for a Maricopa County burglary in 2017.