HOLBROOK — Court records show Michael Abatti has retained a high-powered defense team, including multiple out-of-state attorneys who responded to our media inquiry. The documents show that victim impact statements were sealed and a gag order was issued prohibiting media disclosure of those statements.
Court records containing the formal charges against Abatti have been received and reviewed by Mountain Daily Star.
The filings, part of the Navajo County Superior Court case State of Arizona v. Michael Abatti, show that a Navajo County grand jury returned an indictment charging Abatti with one count of first-degree murder, a Class 1 felony under Arizona law.
The indictment alleges explicitly that Abatti, with premeditation, caused the death of the victim, Kerri Abatti, on or about Nov. 20, 2025, in Navajo County.
According to approved court filings, Abatti is represented by Owen Roth, Maxine Iris Dobro, and Danielle Iredale, all licensed and actively practicing attorneys in California. Roth and Iredale are also licensed in New York. Each attorney was granted permission to appear in Arizona under pro hac vice rules, which allow out-of-state lawyers to participate in a specific case with court approval.
The documents also identify Saji Vetiyil, an Arizona-licensed attorney based in Sahuarita, as local counsel of record. Under Arizona court rules, local counsel must sponsor out-of-state attorneys and is responsible for ensuring compliance with Arizona procedural requirements. Vetiyil’s acceptance of that role is reflected in the filings.
Abatti’s defence team told Mountain Daily Star they have multiple investigators and additional counsel in Arizona and California who “round out their team.”
In a statement provided to Mountain Daily Star, Abatti’s defense outlined its position and described the composition of his legal team:
A grand jury found probable cause to support a charge against our client. This is one of the lowest standards of proof known to the law, and our client has entered his plea of not guilty. Our client was aware the State of Arizona intended to charge him and had offered to self-surrender in advance; when that offer was not accepted, he promptly surrendered to law enforcement in Imperial County and waived extradition so he could appear before the Court in Arizona promptly. He remains innocent under the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona and the United States, and we ask the public to respect his privacy and his constitutional and legal rights. We continue to worry deeply about his health and well-being, and we look forward to our day in court.
Separate court orders related to Abatti’s initial appearance and arraignment show that victim impact statements were submitted by the State and sealed by stipulation of the parties. After the sealing, two victims read their statements aloud in court on the record.
The court issued a gag order applying to any news media personnel present at the hearing, prohibiting disclosure of the contents of any victim impact statement read during the proceeding. The judge also ordered that the audio recording of the initial appearance and arraignment be sealed and not released without an express court order and a showing of good cause.
The order specifies that it does not prevent the Clerk of Court or Court Administration from releasing the minute entry of the proceeding as required by law.
In addition to the indictment and attorney admissions, the court records include State Bar certifications, sworn applications, and administrative notices confirming the attorneys’ good standing and eligibility to practice before the court.
It’s important to note that this case will cost the county time and money to the point that the county should review its finances and consider any other costs that could add to those. It could be one of the highest-profile cases in Navajo County’s history.
Michael Abatti is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
