Phoenix – Maricopa County Prosecutor Addresses High-Profile Cases

The Maricopa County Attorney, Rachel Mitchell, responded to inquiries regarding several notable cases during her bi-weekly press conference on Thursday afternoon. One of the main topics was the tragic death of Trigg Kiser, the son of social media influencer Emily Kiser.

Emily’s family sought clarity from Mitchell about the circumstances surrounding Trigg’s passing. Recently, police in Chandler suggested that Emily’s husband, Brady Kiser, should face charges of child abuse due to criminal negligence.

Mitchell acknowledged that this case had been submitted to her office earlier in the week. “We’re currently in the process of reviewing it, but it will take some time,” she noted.

“I prefer not to discuss specifics about this case just yet, as I haven’t had the chance to look into it myself,” she said. “There are a lot of misunderstandings in this area. It’s crucial for people to realize that not every tragedy equates to a crime,” she emphasized.

She elaborated on the distinction between civil and criminal negligence, stating her office is examining whether there are grounds for criminal charges. “Criminal negligence differs significantly, and that’s what we’re focused on… that’s what we need to determine to proceed with a case,” she added. “It indicates a failure to recognize significant and unjust risks.”

According to the police affidavit, Brady Kiser called 911 on May 12, reporting that he had lost sight of his 3-year-old son, who was later found in the family pool. He attempted CPR until emergency responders arrived and transported Trigg to the hospital.

The affidavit mentioned that Brady stated his wife had gone out with a friend, leaving him to care for both Trigg and their newborn. After having a meal, he noticed Trigg playing near the pool.

It’s reported that Brady lost sight of his son for “three to five minutes,” during which he was occupied with the baby. The affidavit also mentioned a camera was positioned in the backyard at the time of the incident.

When solicited about public perceptions regarding the couple’s situation, Mitchell noted a mixed response, implying that criminal charges might not be justified.

“What you’re suggesting is interesting because it seems there are some who might believe the parents were suffering enough,” Mitchell remarked.

On Other Ongoing Cases

Another case Mitchell briefly addressed involved Timothy Wood, who is accused of locking his girlfriend in a shed for two weeks while subjecting her to torment.

Concerns have been raised by the victim’s mother regarding Wood’s potential release after prosecutors requested additional evidence from detectives. However, it has been confirmed that Wood is still in custody.

Mitchell clarified that her office has not made a decision to prosecute Wood yet. They are awaiting more evidence before proceeding.

“These allegations are quite serious. Sometimes we, as prosecutors, want to ensure we have enough evidence before moving forward, so we send the case back for further investigation,” she explained. “That’s not to suggest the initial investigation was inadequate; rather, we may want to explore different aspects.”

Mitchell also noted that Wood’s prior criminal history does not influence their decision on this matter. “While previous records are significant for sentencing, they cannot be used to prove that he committed this crime,” she stated.