:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/6LEVVVMDOZBHZA7A4N7SH7RZ5M.jpg)
PHOENIX — The trial for a man who allegedly killed nine people and injured three in 12 separate shootings that started in August 2015 and ended in July 2016, has been pushed back until Feb. 2024.
Aaron Saucedo, 28, a former Phoenix bus driver, was arrested in 2017 after being allegedly linked to 12 separate shootings that led to the deaths of nine people and injured three others in west Phoenix between Aug. 2015 and July 2016, according to The Associated Press.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, according to the AP. They said that the victims were Black women and Hispanic men. All but one of the victims were randomly shot.
According to the AP, prosecutors said that Saucedo allegedly targeted victims after dark and shot them as they stood outside of their houses or sat in their cars.
The trial was originally set for 2019, but had to be pushed back three times. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the reason is that there are many witnesses and victims involved, according to the AP. Saucedo’s attorneys reportedly said that were more than 200 witnesses that have to be interviewed and the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult.
Saucedo is facing multiple charges including first-degree murder, drive-by shooting, attempted murder, aggravated assault, discharging a firearm at a non-residence, endangerment and discharging a firearm at a residence, according to the AP.
©2022 Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/K7AELKZHLJF6HEVG426YY3EWFM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/375TK7XXMVCMREUHZREVRXK4OY.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/YFSI6KOCZIWPJJGCQN7DEIB5LU.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/NS62D67CI5F4JAIRDGDU7Q3SKE.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/226JI7OQIJAU7MJAPDQQZLSN54.png)