Local News in Arizona: Another Murder Trial Will Be Held After A Man After Killing A Tucson Teenager

A man who was previously found guilty of the murder of a Tucson teenager is currently being tried for the murder of a 6-year-old girl.

The jury selection process for Christopher Clements’ trial, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday and last 18 days, started on Thursday in Pima County Superior Court from a pool of nearly 100 prospective jurors.

According to a Fox News article from February 9, 2023, Clements, 41, is accused of first-degree murder, kidnapping a child under the age of 15, and second-degree burglary.

Clements was found guilty of murdering Maribel Gonzalez, 13, in 2014 last September. The following month, he was given a life sentence for first-degree murder along with a 17-year sentence for kidnapping, to be served concurrently.

According to a story published by US News on February 9, 2023, Clements, a convicted sex offender with a lengthy criminal history, was detained in 2018 and charged with 22 felonies in connection with the deaths of the two girls.

Gonzalez vanished while walking to a friend’s house in June 2014, while Celis vanished from her parents’ Tucson home in April 2012.

Gonzalez’s body, according to authorities, was discovered soon after she vanished, but Celis’ remains weren’t found until 2017 after Clements guided federal agents to the location.