HOLBROOK, Ariz. — A California man accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife inside her Pinetop home has entered a not guilty plea to first-degree murder and remains jailed on a $5.5 million bond.
A Navajo County grand jury indicted Michael Abatti, 63, of El Centro, California, on one count of first-degree murder in connection with the Nov. 20 shooting death of Kerri Ann Abatti, 59.
| 25-005763 | ABATTI, MICHAEL ANDREW | 04/18/1962 | H Pod Cell 5 |
Michael Abatti is currently listed in the Navajo County Jail.
Authorities allege that Abatti shot his estranged wife inside a residence in Pinetop after traveling from California to Pinetop. She was transported with a gunshot wound to Summit Regional Medical Center in Show Low, where she was pronounced deceased.
Abatti was extradited to Navajo County on Dec. 30
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office is leading the homicide investigation in cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Arizona and California.
Abatti has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney stated previously to the media that he would be pleading not guilty. He is currently being held at the Navajo County Jail on a $5.5 million bond. A pretrial conference and release hearing are scheduled for March 17 at 1 p.m. in Navajo County Superior Court, Division III, according to the Navajo County Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors emphasized that the charges contained in the indictment are allegations only and that Abatti is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. All factual statements are derived from court documents and statements made on the record.
The case will continue through the pretrial process in Navajo County Superior Court.
