2nd trial for former Arizona state Sen. Tony Navarrete set for February
Former state Sen. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete faces a retrial for sexual crime against children, after the first attempt at prosecution ended in a mistrial.
Navarrete’s new trial is scheduled to begin in Maricopa County Superior Court in February and take about two weeks.
Navarrete resigned from the Senate in 2021 following his indictment on seven counts, mainly of sexual contact with a minor.
The first trial focused largely on the testimony of two of Navarrete’s nephews, who allege the abuse. Navarrete’s defense attorney, Adam Feldman, claimed that the two boys were lying to try to take Navarrete down, but did not offer a motive for that.
Police in 2021 recorded a call between Navarrete and one of the alleged victims where Navarrete apologizes for his “actions” but doesn’t say exactly what he’s apologizing for. Navarrete told the jury that he didn’t know his nephew was referring to sexual abuse, and said he didn’t know what he was being arrested for following the call.
After close to a week of deliberation, the jury could not reach a verdict.
If Navarrete is convicted on the felony charges, he faces life in prison.
