A Man Was Charged In A Brutal Arizona Murder 2 Months Ago. Why Hasn't He Been Extradited From Georgia?

A Tennessee man charged successful the sadistic execution of an exotic dancer successful Arizona has remained successful an out-of-state jailhouse for 2 months connected an unrelated probation violation, baffling attorneys who mobility why he has not been extradited to Maricopa County.

Jared Gray, 25, is 1 of 3 defendants charged pinch first-degree execution successful nan sidesplitting of Mercedes Vega, whose burned, beaten assemblage was recovered successful a car westbound of Phoenix successful 2023.

But dissimilar his 2 co-defendants, Gray is not awaiting proceedings successful a Maricopa County jail. He is astir 2,000 miles away, successful Catoosa County, Georgia, wherever he has been incarcerated nether nan sanction “Jarred Gray” since his apprehension successful June connected a probation usurpation connected to a 2022 theft complaint that he pleaded blameworthy to, records show.

Gray's probation was revoked past month, and he was ordered to service nan remainder of his five-year condemnation connected nan theft complaint down bars, a tribunal bid shows.

It is not clear really overmuch clip is near connected that sentence. Nor is it clear why he has not been extradited to Arizona.

A spokesperson for nan Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment, saying it does not supply extradition accusation because of “security concerns.” The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting nan case, referred NBC News to nan sheriff’s office.

In consequence to an email seeking accusation astir Gray’s extradition to Arizona, Travis Jordan, his lawyer successful nan probation case, said: “Unfortunately, your email beneath is nan first news I’ve heard arsenic to Mr. Gray’s extradition position and I person nary accusation relating to it.”

According to Deanna Reisman, nan main adjunct territory lawyer for nan Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, which includes Catoosa County, nan Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office placed a “hold” connected Gray, allowing authorities successful Arizona nan chance to return him into custody anterior to his merchandise connected nan probation charge.

Reisman wasn't judge really overmuch clip they person to make that arrest, nor did she cognize if officials successful Maricopa County person sought Gray's extradition. Her agency typically only becomes progressive successful nan process erstwhile a suspect fights extradition. Most do not, she added.

"Arizona tin unafraid his beingness successful their courts for their charge(s) contempt nan suspect serving a condemnation successful Georgia," she wrote successful an email.

The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.

Gray was charged pinch first-degree execution successful Vega’s sidesplitting connected June 20, 2 days aft he was arrested connected nan probation violation. Because he is still successful Georgia, he has not been arraigned connected nan charge, and tribunal records successful Maricopa County do not database a lawyer who tin speak connected his behalf.

Stara Roemer, a erstwhile charismatic successful Dallas County, Texas, who is not progressive successful nan case, said that if she were handling Vega’s execution prosecution, she would want Gray extradited immediately.

“I wouldn’t want to consequence thing going sideways,” she said, noting that it is not unheard of for group successful Gray’s business to beryllium released by accident.

Howard Snader, a longtime criminal defense lawyer successful Phoenix who is besides not progressive successful nan case, said: "I don’t understand why they wouldn’t him backmost present arsenic quickly arsenic possible. It's a high-profile, brutal, horrific homicide."

Gray’s co-defendants successful Vega's killing, Cudjoe Young and Sencere Hayes, were indicted past period connected charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, arson, equipped robbery, conspiracy and theft. Hayes, 22, was charged pinch an further count of hindering prosecution. They pleaded not guilty.

Authorities person not identified a imaginable motive. Vega's family person said they judge nan sidesplitting was intended to soundlessness her.

Three years earlier her murder, Vega was robbed astatine gunpoint extracurricular her Phoenix flat building, and she later identified Young, 29, arsenic nan masked assailant, constabulary records show. Vega was scheduled to attest connected April 17, 2023, nan time she was recovered dead, her mother said.

Authorities person not said really nan 3 defendants are connected, but each person ties to Chattanooga, Tennessee, according to an affidavit successful support of an apprehension warrant for Gray. Investigators person cited grounds connecting Young to nan car that Vega’s assemblage was recovered in, according to nan affidavit, while fingerprints nexus Gray and Hayes to nan murder, it says.