US EditionProminent California farmer pleads not guilty to killing estranged wife in Arizona
Michael Abatti faces a $5.5 million bond after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder in the November shooting of his estranged wife amid ongoing divorce disputes.
- Michael Abatti pleaded not guilty after being extradited from El Centro to Navajo County Superior Court on Wednesday to face first-degree murder charges in the November killing of his estranged wife in Pinetop, Arizona.
- The couple split in 2023 after marrying in 1992 and had three children, and were disputing finances in ongoing divorce proceedings pending in California while Kerri Ann Abatti had moved to Pinetop.
- The alleged same-night round trip from El Centro to Pinetop is central to prosecutors' claim of premeditation, as they say Abatti drove more than six hours, shot his wife through a kitchen window on Nov. 20, then returned early the next morning.
- A Navajo County judge increased secured bond to $5.5 million after reviewing sealed victim statements, citing safety concerns and noting the defendant's medical needs; strict release conditions include no contact with victims, surrender of firearms, and travel limited to California and Wyoming.
- A pretrial conference is scheduled for Wednesday at Navajo County Superior Court, with defense waiving speedy-trial citing multi-terabyte digital forensic discovery and noting Abatti's self-surrender and waived extradition.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Farming tycoon accused of killing wife could pay staggering amount to get out of jail: ‘He’s very wealthy’
An Arizona judge raised the bond to $5.5 million for California farmer, Michael Abatti, who is accused of shooting and killing his former beauty queen wife.
Michael Abatti extradited to Arizona, pleads not guilty in estranged wife's murder
HOLBROOK, AZ— Michael Abatti, a 63-year-old prominent farmer from El Centro, California, has been extradited to Arizona and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife, 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti.
California farming magnate charged in murder of estranged wife
An Imperial Valley farming magnate with deep ties to the community has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of his wife earlier this year. Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, was found around 9 p.m. with a gunshot wound to the head inside the couple’s Pinetop, Arizona, vacation home on Nov. 20, according to the Navajo Count Sheriff’s Office. Her nephew [...]
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