FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) -- Pinal County's top prosecutor has filed notice that he'll seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing a Maricopa couple last year and burying their bodies.
County Attorney Lando Voyles cites multiple aggravating factors in the case against Jose Ignacio Valenzuela.
He's facing first-degree murder charges in the deaths of 44-year-old Michael Careccia and his 42-year-old wife, Tina. The couple was reported missing on June 22.
>>FILE VIDEO on the case from FOX 10 News Now: Everything We've Learned About Missing Maricopa Couple Michael and Tina Careccia
Investigators interviewed Valenzuela and say statements he made led them to search his property.
Authorities unearthed a 6-foot-deep grave containing the couple's bodies and also reported finding a gun believed to be the murder weapon.
County sheriff's officials say Valenzuela admitted to taking methamphetamine before the killings.
A call to Valenzuela's public defender wasn't immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.
Sheriff Paul Babeu joined County Attorney Lando Voyles announcing that his office is seeking the Death Penalty for...
.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }