PHOENIX—A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday against Victor Bigman, 48, of Kaibeto, Arizona. The indictment charges defendant with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in a crime of violence.
The indictment alleges that at 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2011, Navajo Nation police responded to a call at a residence in Kaibeto, where two brothers were reportedly fighting. Sergeant Darrell Curley and another officer arrived to find the two brothers, who appeared to have been drinking. As Sgt. Curley took one of the brothers, Tyson Bigman, to his patrol vehicle, the complaint alleges that Tyson Bigman’s father, Victor Bigman, fired four shots striking and killing Sgt. Curley. Sgt. Curley was able to return fire and struck Victor Bigman, who is hospitalized in federal custody.
“This indictment is just a first step in what we expect to ultimately result in a just resolution of this case,” said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “Our thoughts remain with Sgt. Curley’s family, friends and colleagues as we continue to seek justice for this incomprehensible crime.”
A conviction for first-degree murder carries a mandatory penalty of life imprisonment. A conviction for the use of a firearm in a crime of violence carries a mandatory penalty of no less than 10 years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Roger Dokken and Sharon K. Sexton, Assistant United States Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona.
CASE NUMBER: CR-11-8156-PHX-JAT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2011-155(Bigman)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment