Trial for double homicide moved to August 24

RITZVILLE – The jury trial of a man arrested for two counts of first degree murder and two counts of removal or concealment of a body has been continued from May 25 to August 24.

Mauricio Nava-Garibay, 28, was arrested January 28 for the deaths of Dora Elia Martinez, 57, and her daughter, Guadalupe Martinez, 30. Nava-Garibay was allegedly living with them in Othello as an illegal immigrant.

Nava-Garibay was arrested after a Honda owned by Dora Elia Martinez was reported sitting parked off the roadway on West Charla Lane with "an unknown flesh object" in the backseat, and a blood-like substance, flesh and white hair on the outside of the vehicle, according to court documents. After a search warrant was obtained, the dismembered pieces of two bodies were found in the Honda. Blood was discovered in the driveway of the Martinez residence on East Cypress Street.

Surveillance footage was obtained revealing the Honda, and a male subject on foot shortly afterward. According to court documents, Nava-Garibay admitted to being the man in the video, when he was detained and interviewed by law enforcement officers.

During the interview, Nava-Garibay allegedly admitted to killing both victims and dismembering them because "they were too heavy to lift into the Honda," according to court documents.

Nava-Garibay, represented by Public Defender Timothy Trageser, pled "not guilty" to all charges in Adams County Superior Court in February. The State of Washington, represented by Randy J. Flyckt, filed a notice of intent to file aggravated first degree murder charge in March.

Nava-Garibay is being held in Adams County Jail on $1,000,000 bail.