Bruce Tucker of the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office speaks during a news conference in Holbrook, Ariz., on Monday. A prominent Imperial Valley farmer charged with killing his estranged wife was extradited to Arizona on Tuesday, where bail has been set at $5.5 million. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder on Wednesday in Navajo County Superior Court. Kerri Abatti left her husband and their El Centro home in August 2023 after 31 years of marriage. His attorneys told The Times on Monday that he had surrendered to authorities in El Centro when he learned of the arrest warrant.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 01, 2026 21:39 UTC