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Perez charged with first degree murder

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Sunday, January 4, 2009 12:27 PM MST

More information on the stabbing death of Jesus Adan Caraveo, 30, has come to light as his accused murderer, Joe Anthony Perez, 44, of Safford had his preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon.

Perez is charged with murder in the first-degree and two charges of aggravated assault.

Safford Detective Diane Thomas testified to witness statements and other aspects of the case that she ascertained from her investigation.

Joe Anthony Perez

According to Thomas’ testimony, Perez’s girlfriend, Kelly Ortega, said she and Perez were in their residence at the Peppertree Apartments on 20th Avenue on Christmas Day, arguing over Ortega’s retrieving her children from Caraveo. Ortega and Caraveo have two children from their previous relationship. She said Perez thought she might still have feelings for Caraveo.

Around 5 p.m., Caraveo dropped off his children at the apartment and was confronted by Perez, according to Thomas’ testimony of Ortega’s account. Perez walked Caraveo out into the courtyard and they began to have a heated argument. Caraveo then allegedly said he didn’t want to fight and began to walk away to a friend’s apartment. Perez then allegedly went to his car, retrieved a knife and stabbed Caraveo in the heart when he caught up with him in the courtyard. Caraveo and Perez fought after the stabbing until neighbors were able to break it up. Caraveo soon collapsed in the courtyard and did not get up. He was taken to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 5:35 p.m.

Thomas testified that Perez admitted retrieving his knife after the initial confrontation with Caraveo and stabbing him. The police interview confession was video and audio recorded, according to Thomas.

District One Justice of the Peace Judge Gary Griffith found probable cause to the counts against Perez and bound the case over to Superior Court. Griffith set Perez’s arraignment to be Jan. 6 at 9 a.m.

Griffith also admonished the families involved that any retaliation or similar activity could result in severe legal consequences. He then asked Caraveo’s family to not have contact with Perez.

Perez remains in the custody of the Graham County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

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Comments

37 comment(s)

who care wrote on Jan 26, 2009 9:42 PM:

" as for frank who cares what you think! don't be late to your next klan meeting you have to hid behind your white masks "

sandra wrote on Jan 26, 2009 9:40 PM:

" i was in the court room when they explained what happend and they said my brother didn't want to fight his kids where there and it was christmas. he was being the bigger man for that my brother died now his two kids have no father my brother would have turned 31 jan 4th i love him and miss him so very much its only been a month but it feels like i haven't seen him in years "

only one wrote on Jan 26, 2009 9:37 PM:

" perez is still alive his family can visit him in jail where do the caraveo's visit there loved one in a cementary perez chose to hurt his family! thats why there in pain and now its time to pay the price "

to omg wrote on Jan 18, 2009 6:54 PM:

" where do you get off saying stuff like that. stay off this page if you cant act like a proper manner. "

niece of anthony wrote on Jan 18, 2009 12:19 PM:

" Evevrybody makes mistake in their life and some of us react on it and some of us don't ,but my uncle is a good person and really cared for this girl. I know my uncle never intended this to happen and he can't change the pass and bring him back ! No one has the right judge but god himself ! My prayers go out to the Caraveo`s family as while as the Perez family! "

to Marcella and Sandra wrote on Jan 13, 2009 7:10 AM:

" Your brothers love will never die...only get stronger. Special moments lil things like rainbows & signs he will give you will confirm his love. The pain is more than anyone can begin to feel and the looks on his childrens face. You are blessed w a wonderful family for Jesus to know they are safe while he is waiting in the Lords hands, Until you meet again--never let the faith die and mark my word there will be a day when it is barable. Could be 1 yr could be 10, but it will come. Condolences Shantelle Farar "

Frank wrote on Jan 13, 2009 6:47 AM:

" I guess it's not bad enough to have these vermin slaughtering each other south of the border anymore. "

fresh out of mercy wrote on Jan 12, 2009 8:16 PM:

" THOU SHALL NOT KILL he chose what he did god gives us free will now he should be put to death cuz thats not fair the other young man is gone so he should pay with his life. "

sandra wrote on Jan 12, 2009 8:01 PM:

" Jesus was my brother and i love him and i miss him so very much! Everyday all i can think is one more day less that i have to wait to see him in heaven. If i feel that way can you imagine how my mom and dad feel? what so say to say to his two babies when they ask for there daddy? "

Beloved brother wrote on Jan 12, 2009 7:49 PM:

" I am Jesus's little sister and you guys have no idea are family is so lost with out my brother i visit his grave daily his kids ask for him all i can ask is that god please make me strong and let me make it threw one more day god give me fiath i miss my brother so very much his kids look just like him and every time i see them it breaks my heart his kids ask form him all the time and there is nothing in the world that will bring him back to us "

upset wrote on Jan 12, 2009 3:43 PM:

" unless you were there and know what really happened DONOT JUDGE "

loco wrote on Jan 12, 2009 6:50 AM:

" Why could he have just fought him hand to hand like a man. Everybody has to use a weapon now aday's. Wrong Thing to do. "

To Enough wrote on Jan 11, 2009 7:28 PM:

" Maybe YOU should practice what YOU preach!! :) Your commenting made you just as ignorant as the others!! Everyone has the right to voice their own opinion! This is not a memorial site it's the news and we are free to comment however we chose as long as the paper sees fit! And judging by some of the comments made on this site half these people are UNEDUCATED!!! "

Enough wrote on Jan 11, 2009 8:47 AM:

" To all of you people on here making your comments about how "uneducated" people are...GET OVER IT! There are two families grieving over losses of a family member or friend here, so now is not the time to be ignorant. It doesnt take a genius / "educated person" to see that! And maybe you should "educate" yourself some and go to Jesus' family or one of Anthony's hearings to see just what it is to loose somebody, and realize how you are only embarrassing yourself by being so ignorant! "

Loyalty wrote on Jan 10, 2009 10:17 PM:

" The True loss is in that of the children who lost their Fathers. Whether anyone chooses to see it or not? Both Families lost these Men. One lost his Physical Life, and the other lost his Freedom. And for what? I Know and worked with Joe Anthony. He too was a good Man. He made a bad choice in his Life as we all do in Life! I am a Loyal Friend to him, but my prayers also go out to the Caraveo Family, Perez Family, and Especially The Children on Both sides! "

OMG Is Right wrote on Jan 10, 2009 6:07 PM:

" As previously stated UNEDUCATED! Half this town is either uneducated or unprofessinal. I'm so thankful OWCD that you are so ALMIGHTY!! "

OMG wrote on Jan 9, 2009 8:50 AM:

" god does not exist and you cannot prove otherwise. "

I NO WANT IT wrote on Jan 8, 2009 5:29 PM:

" LIKE BRIAN SAID IF U ARE NOT INVOLVED WITH THE 2 FAMILIES KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELF AND YES SAFFORD IS FULL OF NOSEY PEOPLE AND PEOPLE THAT TALK TOO MUCH BUT NEWAYS BRIAN TELL YOUR WIFE NOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE 2 SAY......MY CONDULENCES GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES THAT ARE INVOLVED.

"I NO WANT IT" "

executioner wrote on Jan 7, 2009 7:56 PM:

" Hanging is too good for him.......... "

ANGRY wrote on Jan 7, 2009 3:58 PM:

" God has something to do with EVERYTHING!!! We just don't know what that is. Do you know read what others say. The guy will pay, God will be the TRUE judge. Why do you think our society is in the shape it's in? Atheists trying to take Him out of everything. I am just hoping justice will be served!!! I pray for you and for both of the families. To get through this will be a hard thing to do. "

ANGRY wrote on Jan 7, 2009 3:27 PM:

" I said, "in the here after." We have to rely on the judicail system to make the right decisions. If you don't believe in God, YOU ARE IN THE DARK AND WILL BE FOREVER. I just meant there ARE judges here! What is a jury and what do they do....JUDGE. "

To So Sorry... wrote on Jan 7, 2009 3:13 PM:

" You said... "So please, if you have no remorse to either the Caraveo or to the Perez family, please keep your feelings to yourself."

Why would anyone here have remorse? Do you know what remorse is? How does one have remorse TO someone else? "

OMG wrote on Jan 7, 2009 3:10 PM:

" Even if you believe in God. He had nothing to do with this. Our society does not believe that there is only ONE judge. If we believed that, we would not punish people ourselves. "

Kacee wrote on Jan 7, 2009 2:40 PM:

" "As for the girl, how can she live in her own skin? Bless the two innocent children. "

So are you saying that the former wife of Jesus is partially responsible? Wow, I didn't realize one person had so much power over another person.

Get a grip! The defendant made the choice to commit a violent act - nobody else is responsible for this crime, only the defendant. "

ANGRY wrote on Jan 7, 2009 1:31 PM:

" Yes there is only ONE true judge in the here after. I am hoping that the judes here in this life will do their job. In the article he admitted to doing it. There for we have judges to judge them accordingly. If they do their job, justice will prevail. If not God will truly jude them. What more do they need. If anyone doesn't like what is being put here on these pages, DON'T READ THEM! God be with the Caraveo family! "

OWCD wrote on Jan 7, 2009 11:09 AM:

" To OMG & OMG is right. WHERE DOES YOUR EDUCATION COME INTO PLAY IN ALL THIS? What are your comments accomplishing here. I don't think anyone is attacking Anthony or his family but, there is no reason to take the life of another human being. Do you even know The Ten Commandments? This guy broke one, he's 44 years old for God sake Justice should be served here. Maybe you need to read the article again, he confessed to it it all. As for the girl, how can she live in her own skin? Bless the two innocent children. "

So Sorry wrote on Jan 7, 2009 7:34 AM:

" I know the family of Anthony. And i was there when one of his daughters got the call as to what had happened. Please understand that the family had nothing to do with what happened and that they were stunned and devastated to hear of what had happened. So please, if you have no remorse to either the Caraveo or to the Perez family, please keep your feelings to yourself. To the family of Jesus, i am sorry for your loss... you are in my prayers, and may god be with you. "

OMG Is Right wrote on Jan 7, 2009 1:00 AM:

" It seems Safford is FULL of the uneducated!! "

one who cares deeply wrote on Jan 6, 2009 6:36 PM:

" Yes, GOD is the judge but insecurity, alcohol and jealousy are ABSOLUTELY NOT excusable for such an animalistic action. Jesus is a good man, a great father to his children, a wonderful son and brother to his family. May God rest his soul. He is untouchable and will not have to suffer with such un inhibited people. May God Bless and be with his family through this hard time. "

OMG wrote on Jan 6, 2009 2:10 PM:

" The uneducated should not bother to post here. "

Still Cant Believe It wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:42 AM:

" Jesus Adan was a really nice guy. I met him a few times. Such a shame he's gone. My heartfelt sympathies to his family, especially his kids. "

Fed Up wrote on Jan 5, 2009 5:05 PM:

" We all know what he has done was not right, And yes we all half to pay for our sins, I am marriied to one Anthony's Daughters, For her to here all these comments really hurts her, so if you are not involved just stay out of it and keep your comments to your self. GOD is the only one to judge not all of nosey Safford!!!
P.S I know sorry wont Bring Jesus Adan Back but im deeply sorry for the Caraveo Family.

Brian "

D.Kleinfeld wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:28 AM:

" No Pun intended this is Cut and Dry !!
Perez should get the injection in a few years.after a couple of appeals ! What is happening to this once peacfulll community ? This is turning into a murder zone.Seams like evey other month there is a homicide.Is it just me or has anyone else noticed ?? "

oh no wrote on Jan 5, 2009 2:34 AM:

" lets hope justice will be served this time. Prayers to the family and his children of jesus. there is to much leniancy now a days. ice for an ice tooth for a tooth. send him off to joe arpiao's camp or the "row" "

What a loss wrote on Jan 5, 2009 12:34 AM:

" My condolences to the familys involved. For the Lord is the final judge. "

Former Safford Resident wrote on Jan 4, 2009 10:32 PM:

" Did you mean to write, "We all have to pay for our sins." I'm just wondering. "

just me wrote on Jan 4, 2009 7:27 PM:

" we hall have to pay for are sins "

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