Defense attorneys for two people accused of murdering a 39-year-old Tucson resident told jurors Wednesday that the state's case is based on the lies of a crack dealer and a South Tucson police lieutenant.
Bridget Clancy Mendez, 46, and Jesus Figueroa, 31, are charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the February 2009 stabbing death of Maria Kyles.
On Feb. 23, 2009, South Tucson police found Kyles wrapped up in a carpet in Mauro Sosa's kitchen in the 200 block of East 33rd Street.
After being arrested for concealment of a dead human body, Sosa, 46, told police that Mendez and Figueroa had tortured and killed Kyles.
Deputy Pima County Attorney Jesse Delaney told jurors that the autopsy and police investigation corroborates Sosa's account of Kyles' death.
Defense attorneys Rick Lougee and Harold Higgins, however, told jurors that Sosa is a liar, a pimp and a crack dealer with an extensive criminal history and a motive to lie. Lougee told jurors that Sosa was told he'd be charged with murder if he didn't take the stand in the case.
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Police didn't arrest Mendez and Figueroa until seven months after Sosa's arrest. During that time, Lougee said, Sosa had the police reports he needed to become "the architect" of the case against the others.
Lougee also said Lt. Jeff Inorio interviewed Mendez shortly after Kyles' body was found but didn't mention she allegedly confessed until seven months later.
"This confession is false," Lougee said. "He made it up, and I'm going to give you the evidence to prove it."
Pima County Superior Court Judge Paul Tang is presiding over the trial.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
