“Serial Shooter” Lead Detective Back at Work After Close Call

We were leaving from a visit to 620, otherwise known as the Phoenix Police Department, this morning, and bumped into Detective Clark Schwartzkopf. We barely know Detective Schwartzkopf but have heard a lot about his excellent work as the lead agent in the infamous “Serial Shooters” case. Two Valley men –…

Will Convicted Child-Killer Debra Milke Win New Trial? We’re Betting She Will

Spent some of the morning in the federal courtroom of Judge Robert Broomfield, who is considering whether to order a new trial for longtime Arizona death-row inmate Debra Milke, convicted two decades ago of orchestrating the execution-style murder of her 4-year-old son Christopher.   ​If Judge Broomfield rules that Milke’s alleged confession…

Status Of “Burning Man” Michael Marin’s Criminal Case? The Flame’s on Low

We’ve been getting an unusual number of calls and e-mails from folks wanting to know the status of the felony arson case against Michael Marin, the fascinating, if troubled, fellow we wrote about last summer in “Burning Man.” Readers may recall the story: Marin’s a mountain climber, visual artist, author, and onetime alleged financial…

Ten Random Thoughts as the Oughts (2000-2009) Fade Away

The following are 10 random things that, at the start of this weird decade, we never would have believed: 1. That the historically pathetic Arizona Cardinals would move out to bumfuck Egypt (a.k.a. Glendale, a.k.a. sweet deal), and then would (at the end of the decade) find themselves exactly one play…

Scammer Gary “Dr. Buzzard” Karpin Back in Court at Restitution Hearing

It may have been an exercise in futility for his many victims, but disbarred attorney, scamming divorce “mediator,” and current state prison inmate Gary Karpin appeared in court the other day at a so-called restitution hearing.  Readers of New Times may remember Karpin, seen in his skanky 2006 booking photo to the left. Here’s a…

Arpaio’s Deputies Stage Apparent Courthouse Sick-Out on Heels of Jailing of MCSO Detention Officer Found in Contempt of Court

​It was mass confusion at the Maricopa County Courthouse today. About 20 county Sheriff’s Office deputies and detention officers called in sick, a possibly orchestrated “action” that wreaked havoc with courtroom schedules and the transportation of inmates from the county jail for hearings and other matters. The sick-out, if that’s truly…

Famed ASU Baseball Coach Pat Murphy Resigns Unexpectedly Today

Word from ASU today that its longtime head baseball coach Pat Murphy has resigned is a mind-blower on every level.   ​The immediate explanation? None. We haven’t been able to contact one of our favorite coaches yet, though we suspect that Murph will call back at some point soon. For sure, university…