BULLHEAD CITY – Family members said post-murder diagnosis of schizophrenia helps explain why a Bullhead City man suffered paranoia when he shot and killed a woman he considered to be his Aunt. The defense argued that 25-year-old Chester Pollard Espinoza felt threatened when he emptied his grandmother’s Smith and Wesson on her best friend, Katherine Humula, 74.

Humula suffered 6 gunshot wounds but was able to struggle to a vehicle that was parked at the home where the trio resided in the 1100 block of Zircon Ave. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle was told that Pollard Espinoza reloaded the weapon and followed the victim’s blood trail to the vehicle where he shot Humula once more in the head.

Pollard Espinoza pleaded guilty to second degree murder. Judge Carlisle imposed a 22-year prison term during the Aug. 6 sentencing hearing.

Dave Hawkins