Plea agreement in works in Corrales murder case

A plea agreement is being negotiated in the criminal case against Ruben Solorio Valenzuela, who is accused of the 2005 murder of Amancio Corrales.

"The case is in plea negotiations, but beyond that we can't discuss any of the details," said Chief Criminal Deputy County Attorney Roger Nelson.

Michael H. Baughman, founder of The Amancio Project and family advocate, said he and the family will be meeting with prosecutors, victim advocates and a grief counselor late Monday afternoon in a settlement conference to go over the terms of the plea agreement.

"We have no idea what the terms are because the details have not been disclosed," Baughman said. "But we are very excited that the case is finally coming to a conclusion."

The plea agreement, which still requires the approval of Yuma County Superior Court Judge Andrew Gould, who is presiding over the case, would avoid a trial that is currently scheduled to begin on Aug. 6.

"If the plea agreement is accepted and approved by the family, then the next step will be the sentencing. If not, then the trial will go on as scheduled," Baughman said. "Since a number of things could happen at the settlement hearing, it is best not to speculate at this time."

The plea agreement will be formally presented to the judge in a change of plea hearing at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Baughman added that regardless of the settlement conference's outcome, the family is preparing a victim's impact statement, which will be read to the judge during the change of plea hearing.

"This is where the family may express the depth of their loss to the judge in an effort to secure the maximum allowable sentence under the law," Baughman said.

Corrales' body was found on May 6, 2005, floating in shallow water about 500 feet west of Paradise Cove, just west of Joe Henry Park, with multiple stab wounds. He was dressed as a woman when his body was discovered. Authorities believe he had spent the night bar-hopping with friends.

He died from what has been publicly described by authorities as "violent trauma."

A 23-year-old gay man and cosmetologist, Corrales also performed as a female impersonator known as Dalila impersonating famous singers. Corrales lived in Phoenix and performed at a gay bar, Paco Paco, until the weekend he was killed - the same weekend he moved back to Yuma to live with his family.

Yuma County sheriff's deputies arrested Solorio Valenzuela on May 23, 2007, at Express Lube, 1900 S. 4th Ave., where he had been working, in connection with the killing of Corrales. An anonymous written tip led to Solorio Valenzuela's arrest.

A follow-up investigation revealed Solorio Valenzuela had confessed to family members soon after the murder, allegedly telling them how he had killed Corrales.

He then fled to Mexico the same day of the killing, eventually making his way to Guadalajara for three months, according to court records.

Solorio Valenzuela was booked into Yuma County jail on one count of second-degree murder in Corrales' death, but a grand jury later indicted him on a charge of manslaughter and abandoning a body.

***

James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.

CASE HISTORY

May 6, 2005 — Amancio Corrales' body is found floating in shallow water in Paradise Cove, just west of Joe Henry Park, with multiple stab wounds. The Yuma County Sheriff's Office launches an investigation into the murder.

May 27, 2005 — The Amancio Project is created to address issues surrounding the crime.

Aug. 6, 2005 — A prayer vigil is held at the Arizona State Capitol Grounds. Over 100 people attend. Family, friends, state legislators and representatives of civil rights groups speak.

Nov. 10, 2005 — A candlelight graveside memorial and mass is held.

Nov. 10, 2006 — A graveside memorial service is held along with a pink balloon release. Pink was Amancio's favorite color.

May 23, 2007 — Deputies from the Yuma County Sheriff's Office arrest Ruben Solorio Valenzuela at Express Lube, 1900 S. 4th Ave., where he had been working. An anonymous written tip led to his arrest.

May 28, 2007 — In a brief courtroom appearance, Solorio Valenzuela was charged with one count of second-degree murder.

May 31, 2007 — The Yuma County Grand Jury refuses to indict Solorio Valenzuela on the charge the Yuma County Attorney's Office filed against him and instead downgrades the charges to manslaughter and abandonment and/or concealing a body.

March 12, 2008 — The Amancio Project is selected to be featured in an upcoming documentary by award-winning director T. Joe Murray. The documentary covers several groups across the country that have responded to supposed "hate crimes" within their communities.

April 28, 2008 — Documentary filmmakers, after reviewing film footage gathered during their trip to Yuma, decide to solely spotlight the Amancio Project in their documentary.

May 6, 2008 — An graveside observance in memory of Amancio Corrales is held at the Desert Lawn Memorial Park.

May 27, 2008 — Filming of the documentary begins with two independent documentary filmmakers in Yuma, shooting film around town and conducting interviews.

July 21, 2008 — Michael Baughman, founder of the Amancio Project, and family members meet with the prosecutors to discuss the terms of a plea agreement being offered in the case.