KINGMAN – A Golden Valley man gained freedom Tuesday following acquittal at trial for an alleged vehicular homicide. Phillip Butters-Perry, 66, spent about 2.5-years in custody while awaiting trial before a Mohave County Superior Court jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder in the Oct., 2016 death of Alonzo Jesus Legarreta, 53.

Investigation complications prompted a long delay from the time of Legarreta’s death to the indictment of Butters-Perry.

Legarreta’s body was located in the vicinity of the intersection of Hermit Dr. and Ligurta Rd. and county attorney Matt Smith argued that Butters-Perry deliberately used his vehicle to run the man down, resulting in infliction of fatal injuries. Public Defender Paul Amman spoke with jurors following the trial and said they were unconvinced.

“They felt like the state did not meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” Amman said. He said he was impressed that the jury paid close attention throughout the trial that began July 13 and that the panel reached a just result.

Amman said he learned that the 8-member panel was split 4-4 on its first verdict vote and went home Monday thinking it was hopelessly deadlocked. He said panel members indicated that the tide turned when deliberations resumed Tuesday and the jury’s foreperson helped shift the outcome to a not guilty verdict.

Dave Hawkins