Elena Santa Cruz

Phoenix

Criminal Justice Reporter at The Arizona Republic

azcentral reporter 🧑🏾‍💻 pls check out @ecsantacruz3 ✍🏽 as I do not use this account anymore

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Articles

Immigration enforcement is not our role, Arizona police agencies say

2 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Elena Santa Cruz |Raphael Romero Ruiz

Several police departments, including Phoenix, Peoria, Mesa and Tucson, affirmed their non-participation in immigration enforcement. Their role at scenes where federal immigration operations occur is to maintain public safety and protect First Amendment rights, the agencies said. As fears over federal immigration operations loom, Arizona police departments want to clarify to their communities that they are not involved in carrying out those activities.
Saul Bal, accused of killing Phoenix officer in 2024, arguing self-defense

2 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Elena Santa Cruz

Saul Bal, accused of killing one Phoenix police officer and injuring another, has requested his case be sent back to the grand jury. Bal's lawyers argue that prosecutors omitted information supporting a potential self-defense claim, specifically that Bal didn't recognize the officers as police.
Preston Lord case set for July trial date. What to know

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Elena Santa Cruz

Five defendants in the Preston Lord murder case appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing, while one refused transport. The July 21 trial date is likely to be postponed due to the volume of evidence. Jacob Meisner has rejected a plea deal and will have a settlement conference along with defendant Taylor Sherman. Talyn Vigil will argue for his case to be sent back to a grand jury.
Emilie Kiser's lawyer agrees some public records about her son's death could be released

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Elena Santa Cruz

Social media influencer Emilie Kiser is suing to block the release of records related to her son's drowning death. Kiser's lawyer argued that releasing certain records, like body camera footage, would cause emotional harm and was unnecessary for public understanding of what happened. Kiser's lawyer said that redacted police and medical examiner reports are likely appropriate for release.
Teen charged in Preston Lord beating rejects plea offer

4 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Elena Santa Cruz

Jacob Meisner, 18, rejected a plea deal that would have him admit involvement in the beating death of Preston Lord, 16. Meisner faces life in prison if convicted of all charges, including first-degree murder and kidnapping. Prosecutors offered a plea deal of 7 to 21 years in prison for manslaughter and aggravated robbery, but Meisner's lawyers only offered to admit guilt to robbery.
Chandler influencer Emilie Kiser wants to shield records about son's drowning. What we know

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Elena Santa Cruz |Perry Vandell

Social media influencer Emilie Kiser has taken legal action in an attempt to keep records about her son's drowning hidden from public view. Maricopa County officials have already pulled records off the internet in response. Trigg Kiser, 3, died May 18 in the hospital about a week after police responded to the Kiser home in Chandler for a drowning call. Chandler police said the incident occurred in the family's backyard pool and was under investigation.
Emilie Kiser sues to keep records about son Trigg's drowning death private

4 weeks ago | usatoday.com | Melina Khan |Elena Santa Cruz

Nearly two weeks after Emilie Kiser's 3-year-old son died in a drowning incident, the social media influencer filed a lawsuit to keep records about his death out of public view. Trigg Kiser died on May 18 after being pulled from a backyard pool in Chandler, Arizona days earlier, Sonu Wasu, Chandler Police Department's public information officer, previously confirmed to USA TODAY.
Emilie Kiser sues to keep records about son Trigg's drowning death private

4 weeks ago | dnj.com | Melina Khan |Elena Santa Cruz

Nearly two weeks after Emilie Kiser's 3-year-old son died in a drowning incident, the social media influencer filed a lawsuit to keep records about his death out of public view. Trigg Kiser died on May 18 after being pulled from a backyard pool in Chandler, Arizona days earlier, Sonu Wasu, Chandler Police Department's public information officer, previously confirmed to USA TODAY.
Emilie Kiser sues to keep records about son's drowning from public

1 month ago | azcentral.com | Elena Santa Cruz

Social media influencer Emilie Kiser is suing Arizona officials to block the release of investigative records related to her 3-year-old son's drowning. Kiser's lawsuit argues that releasing the records would cause irreparable harm to her family and violate their privacy. Kiser's attorneys argue that the release of records detailing the child's death would weaponize public records laws, causing emotional harm rather than promoting transparency.
Emilie Kiser sues to keep records about son's drowning from public view

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Elena Santa Cruz

Social media influencer Emilie Kiser has filed a lawsuit in Arizona to block investigative records about her son's drowning from being released to the public. Trigg Kiser, 3, died in the hospital May 18, about a week after police responded to a drowning call at the Kiser home, near East Chandler Heights and South Cooper roads in Chandler. The drowning took place in the family's backyard pool and is under investigation, Chandler police said.