The charges against Salomon Diaz, the man suspected of killing two women in front of the Navajo County Superior Court on June 28, have been amended from two counts of second degree murder to two counts of first degree murder. He is also being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the injuries sustained by a third victim.
First degree murder is considered premeditated or intentional, and usually carries a harsher sentence if the suspect is found guilty than second degree murder, which is unplanned.
Diaz had his initial court appearance on Wednesday, June 29, and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 8, at the Holbrook Justice Court.
According to Navajo County Communications Manager Adam Wolfe, his lawyers could file for a bond reduction, but Diaz is expected to appear in front of a grand jury next week. A $2 million bond was set as his terms of release.
If probable cause is found, Diaz will be scheduled for a formal arraignment in Navajo County Superior Court.
It is believed that the shootings were in response to a custody issue being addressed at the courts between Diaz, the paternal grandfather of two young children, and the two women killed, Ashley Utley, 25, the mother of the children, and Utley’s mother, Sherry Quintero-Davenport, 45. The children’s aunt, Angela Chambers, 68, was injured by the gunfire.
