Detective takes the stand in trial for double murder of an elderly couple
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A detective took the stand this week in the trial of a Yuma man accused of brutally murdering an elderly couple.
20-year-old Romeo Jay Arellano‘s trial continued with a detective on the case who was in the home of the two murdered victims days after they were killed.
The detective shared the smell in the home was overpowering. He said there was also blood on the floor and on other items in the home.
Certain items in the home were also misplaced or broken.
Arellano is accused of murdering 82-year-old Manuel Marquez and 79-year-old Patricia Marquez in late April of 2024.
The prosecution said Manuel was stabbed at least 18 times while Patricia was stabbed at least eight times.
The detective shared that Arellano admitted to driving Manuel’s car after the murder.
Arellano also stated that he knew police had pictures of him at the bank, where he ran multiple transactions using Patricia’s card.
They also shared that following the murder, phone calls and texts were sent to Arellano’s girlfriend and brother.
The prosecution says they found items in Arellano’s possession, tying him to the victim’s murder.
Arellano faces seven felonies, including two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. The maximum sentence he could receive if he’s found guilty is life without parole for each murder.