PHOENIX — A Maricopa County courtroom recently concluded the closing arguments in a notable trial surrounding a road rage incident that tragically resulted in the death of an 8-year-old girl, marking a poignant chapter in the area’s ongoing battle with traffic-related violence.
The defendant, Sidney Garrand, is accused of second-degree murder stemming from an event two years prior near the intersection of 16th Street and Greenway Parkway in Phoenix. The incident, ignited by a brief stop at a stop sign, escalated quickly, ending in gunfire.
Prosecutors claim Garrand discharged six shots during the altercation, one of which fatally struck young Cassidy Moreno. Charged with such a grave crime, Garrand entered a not-guilty plea in December 2022 and secured his release by posting a $500,000 bond, with court stipulations requiring him to wear an electronic monitoring device.
However, complications ensued when Garrand’s location became unknown, prompting the Phoenix police to issue a warrant for his arrest two months following his initial release. The absence of the defendant in cases like these often presents unique challenges for both prosecution and defense.
Defense strategies in similar cases typically hinge on assertions of self-defense or other forms of justification—claims that hinge critically on the defendant’s testimony. Russ Richelsoph, a veteran criminal defense attorney, notes the difficulty in presenting such defenses effectively without the direct input of the accused. “It’s nearly impossible to put forward a self-defense claim unless the defendant is there and able to testify as to what they were experiencing,” Richelsoph explained.
Despite Garrand’s absence, the trial continued with the court instructing the jury not to interpret his non-appearance as indicative of guilt. Such instructions are commonplace but do little to mitigate the broader implications of a missing defendant, notably how it affects the final sentencing phases of a trial.
“Basically the case will be put on hold until he’s found and brought back,” Richelsoph commented on the procedures following the re-arrest of a fugitive. Once extradited, Garrand would face a sentencing hearing to receive his final judgment.
This case echoes a previous instance from 2009, when another Maricopa County trial proceeded in the absence of the defendant, who had escaped custody but was later apprehended and sentenced.
The recurring theme of defendants absconding in Maricopa County underscores a persistent issue surrounding the enforcement and procedural norms in high-stakes criminal trials, inviting scrutiny on measures in place to ensure the presence and accountability of those charged with serious crimes. The community continues to watch closely, hoping for justice for young Cassidy Moreno while grappling with broader concerns about law and order in an ever-complex environment.
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