Yuma, AZ--Jonathan Roger Ochoa tried to turn his back to the media as he walked in Yuma justice court but then wanted to face state prosecutors when they began to speak.
Arizona State prosecutors said the murder is believed to be drug related.
They said the suspects were attempting to obtain a quantity of drugs that were in possession of a third party.
State prosecutors said the victim in this case is not believed to be in any way to be involved in that and was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Ochoa is one of two suspects connected to the murder of Kendall Smith who was brutally beaten with a baseball bat.
The 27-year old faces 6 felony counts including conspiracy, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, street gang enticing others and premeditated murder in the 1st degree.
Judge Gregory Stewart said there is a conflict of interest in the case.
Stewart said the family member of the alleged victim is employed within the Yuma Justice Center.
He said if the case proceeds to superior court, a judge outside of Yuma County will preside over the case.
Ochoa's bond was set at one million dollars cash.
At 10 on the late edition we'll tell you how prosecutors said this woman is related to a second murder suspect who's still at large.
Also how they said how she's connected to drug dealers who allegedly ripped them off.
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