UPDATE

FLORENCE, Ariz. (July 22, 2019) – Pinal County Superior Court Judge Patrick Gard sentenced Andrew Salazar to 19 years in prison for the manslaughter of Robert Ben DeArman III. Salazar was already serving time for a gun violation case. The manslaughter sentence will run concurrently with the gun violation case. Salazar was facing a minimum of 10.5 years and a maximum of 21 years in prison on Friday, July 19, 2019, when he received his sentence.

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FLORENCE, Ariz. (May 23, 2019) – On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, a jury found Andrew Salazar guilty of manslaughter, a class two dangerous felony.

On October 11, 2013, Robert Ben DeArman III was shot and killed at a party with friends in Florence. According to investigators, Andrew Salazar was drinking at the party for several hours. During the event, Salazar pointed a gun at the victim and shot him once in the chest, killing him. Investigators determined Salazar was intoxicated and using prescription medication when DeArman was shot.

At the time of the shooting, the defendant was a convicted felon. Salazar was also on probation and was unlawfully in possession of the firearm.

Salazar faces a mandatory minimum of ten and a half years and a maximum of 21 years for manslaughter. Salazar is expected to be sentenced on July 19th at Pinal County Superior Courthouse.

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DeArman Family Statement:

"I just have to thank you again for getting us JUSTICE yesterday. Your professionalism, determination and strength in our case gave us the verdict we've been waiting for for the last 6 years. I truly believe that you were sent to us by a higher power. Robert can now finally rest in peace. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Connie Hills