"Investigators declined to reveal the suspected motive in the shooting death of a prominent California farmer's estranged wife in eastern Arizona, but they said the couple's prolonged divorce case arose in nearly all interviews with family and friends. Michael Abatti, 63, was arrested last week in El Centro, California, in the shooting death of Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, at her family's vacation home in Pinetop, Arizona, where she moved after splitting with her husband."
"Owen Roth, one of Michael Abatti's attorneys, said his client surrendered to law enforcement, agreed to be extradited to Arizona and remains innocent under the law. Our client is in his mid-60s and has significant health issues, and we continue to worry about his well-being, Roth said. We ask the public to respect his privacy and constitutional rights and reiterate that this case will be decided based on the evidence by a jury."
Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, was found unconscious near her kitchen and later died of a gunshot wound to the head. A nephew reported hearing a loud sound before finding her. Investigators found a circular defect on a window and determined a gunshot likely originated from the yard outside the home. Michael Abatti, 63, was arrested in El Centro, California; investigators say he traveled to Pinetop on Nov. 20, carried out the killing, and returned to California the next morning. The couple's prolonged divorce was raised repeatedly in interviews, and authorities declined to confirm a motive. An attorney said the defendant surrendered, agreed to extradition, remains innocent, has significant health issues, and requested respect for privacy and constitutional rights.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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