Undocumented immigrant at center of legal battle between state and federal authorities
TUCSON, Ariz. (CNN, KYMA/KECY) - An undocumented immigrant in Arizona is now the focus of a growing tug-of-war between state and federal authorities.
Pima County police say Julio Aguirre is accused of fatally shooting a man while trying to steal his car late last month in Tucson.
According to investigators, Aguirre went through midtown Tucson, pointing a gun at multiple people before he ultimately shot and killed a man during an attempted carjacking. Officers say a police dog helped apprehend him, landing Aguirre in the hospital.
While Aguirre was recovering, federal agents arrested him on separate charges and took him into federal custody, sparking a jurisdictional showdown.
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover says her office needs to move forward with a state murder case to get justice for the victims, especially since some of the surviving victims are elderly.
"These people have states rights. This isn't a request. This is something we're going to have to duke out in federal court. I will not be giving up," Conover said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Arizona insists it has a "significant federal interest" in the case, charging Aguirre with carjacking, weapons charges, and illegal entry into the U.S. Under federal sentencing guidelines.
In addition, carjacking resulting in death can lead to life in prison or even the death penalty, just as Arizona's first-degree murder charge can.
Still, Conover argues that local prosecutors handle homicide cases far more frequently than federal prosecutors and wants the feds to stop slowing down her case.
For now, Aguirre remains in federal custody as both sides prepare to fight for jurisdiction in court.
