Band Teacher Pleads Guilty in Sex Case, Lawyer’s Murder Trial Starts, and More

Welcome to Courthouse Update, a weekly rundown of goings-on at the Maricopa County Superior Court.

This week, a former band teacher pleads guilty to charges in a sex case, an attorney goes to trial on a murder charge, and more:

• Former band teacher pleads guilty to charges in student-sex case

Andrew Islas — a Tempe High School assistant band director — admitted early last year to sexting and having sex with a student, according to police. The girl, who was 16 at the time of Islas’ arrest, said their relationship started when she was 15, and Islas had sex with her in a public park in Tempe. As part of a plea deal, Islas pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse. His sentencing his scheduled for December 9.

See also: Tempe High School Assistant Band Teacher, Busted Sexting/Sexing Student

Next page: Divorce lawyer’s murder trial begins

• California divorce lawyer on trial for murder

The murder trial for Orange County, California, divorce lawyer Robert Fischer started on Wednesday. Fischer is accused of shooting and killing 49-year-old Norman “Lee” Radder at a Queen Creek home on December 30, 2010, and staging it is a suicide. Fischer was indicted by a grand jury on the murder charge in May 2012.

See also: California Divorce Lawyer Charged in 2010 Queen Creek Murder

Next page: Devin Almejo makes his first court appearance

• Devin Almejo makes his first court appearance

Devin Almejo, the Mesa man accused of trying to hire an undercover police officer to kill his grandfather, made his first court appearance. Almejo’s bond, for charges of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder, was set at $1 million. A prosecutor said Almejo has three prior felony convictions.

See also: Devin Almejo Hires Hitman to Kill Grandfather, Posts Bloody Photos on Facebook, Cops Say

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