Trial date set for man accused of son’s murder in Yuma County

36-year-old Jose Adan Gallardo has maintained a not guilty plea since his arrest last December

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - A trial is scheduled to begin in July for the man accused of murdering his teenage son on I-8 in Yuma County.

36-year-old Jose Gallardo has maintained a not-guilty plea since being charged with ten felonies last December.

Yuma County deputies said Gallardo shot and killed his son, 19-year-old Mario Nez, on December 12, leaving him on the side of the interstate near Dateland.

Family members said the pair was driving from California to the Phoenix area.

Deputies said Gallardo then abandoned his car at Mohawk Pass and ran off, he was found and arrested in the desert that evening after a helicopter search.

Gallardo has remained in custody on a $2 million bond.

The trial is set to start July 19.