MATTHEW VANDERGRIFF - 1 Month (2010) - Bullhead City (CA-NV-AZ Border) AZ

Bullhead City AZ ---- A newborn died as a result of injuries suffered,
allegedly at the hands of his parents, in what Bullhead City police call
a brutal sexual assault.
Police were called to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center’s
Emergency Room on Tuesday morning after receiving a call about a
1-month-old baby boy who was fighting for his life.
Doctors reportedly told detectives the baby had bruises and sores on his
body and his eyes were red and swollen shut. The baby had also suffered
broken ribs and a broken femur. He was malnourished and dehydrated and,
according to doctors, showed signs of sexual abuse and shaken baby
syndrome.
The newborn was taken by medical helicopter in critical condition to
Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas but died Wednesday morning.



The baby’s mother, 19-year-old Staci Lynn Barbosa, was taken into
custody immediately after taking the boy to the hospital. Her boyfriend
and the father of the child, 23-year-old Jonathan Edward Vandergriff,
turned himself in to police.
A search warrant was served at their home where officers found marijuana
and other items that can be used as evidence in this case.
The couple faces charges of molestation of a child, child abuse,
aggravated assault and sexual conduct with a minor.
Bullhead City Police spokesperson Emily Montague says homicide charges
are pending. Vandergriff and Barbosa are in the Mohave County jail in
Kingman.
Vandergriff is being held on a $500,000 bond while Barbosa is being held
on a $250,000 bond.

I just saw this in the paper this morning wtf is wrong with people to sexually abuse a 1 month old.

A one month old baby has died after injuries
he suffered from a brutal sexual assault. Some of the details in this
case are graphic.

Police say the baby's parents are the one's
responsible and that it happened in their home in Bullhead City,
Arizona. The baby died at Sunrise hospital with more injuries than most
people can stomach to think about. It is something family and friends
say they're having a tough time even comprehending.

"He was trying to cry. He couldn't really
cry," said family friend, Zachary Piper as he described how he found the
baby.

"He had bruising rings around his eyes and
his eyes were almost swollen completely shut. He was trying to get his
breath, but he had real short sporadic breaths," said Zachary.

Zachary found one month old Matthew
Vandergriff after Matthew's uncle, Mac Barbosa called him for help.

"I told my sister this is ridiculous, you
need to get him to the hospital," said Mac.

But Zachary and Mac say Matthew's parents,
19-year old Staci Barbosa and 23-year old Jonathan Vandergriff didn't
want to take him because Matthew had been brutally sexually assaulted.

"Right then and there I picked up his car
seat and went out to my car, buckled him in," Zachary says.

They brought baby Matthew to Western Arizona
Regional Medical Center, but once the doctors saw the severity of his
injuries, he was airlifted to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. He died
within 24 hours.

Police say he had broken ribs, a broken
femur, signs of sexual assault and shaken baby syndrome. Family and
friends say they don't know how this happened, but they want justice.

"I'm happy they're in jail," said Mac.

"Staci Barbosa and Jonathan Vandergriff are
nothing to us now. I hope they stay in jail. I hope they rot," neighbor,
Krystal Peck says.

Both Barbosa and Vandergriff are in the
Mohave County Jail. Right now they're charged with child molestation,
aggravated assault, child abuse and sexual conduct with a minor. Police
say more charges, including homicide, are pending.

Barbosa and Vandergriff also have a 2-year
old little girl. She is currently in her grandmother's custody.

What sick FF people...I hope they have the death penalty in this state cause they sure need to be taken out of society....Who the hell does this to a baby? I am sick just reading this...They need to Rot in hell...

Dammit, shoot the bastards NOW! They aren't even fit to be living and sure as hell aren't human. I sure hope they check the 2 year old out for signs of abuse, especially sexual abuse. They need to be stoned to death, this really has my ire up, sick, sick, sick.

Murder charges have been filed against the parents of a
1-month-old boy who died earlier this week from injuries police say were
caused by physical and sexual abuse.
Jonathan Edward Vandergriff, 23, and Staci Lynn Barbosa, 19, were charged in Bullhead
City Justice Court with four felony counts, filed by the Mohave County Attorney’s office.
“I did file a complaint,” said Greg McPhillips, the county prosecutor for the case. “I did add charges ...
probably most significantly a charge of first-degree murder. I did file a
formal charge of first-degree murder.”
Vandergriff and Barbosa are each charged with four felony counts, according to information from
the Bullhead City Justice Court. They are both charged with first-degree
murder, child abuse by domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual
conduct with a minor under 15 years of age.
The charges stem from the death of the couple’s 1-month-old son,
Matthew, who died Wednesday morning from injuries police say were
administered by one or both of his parents.
Barbosa took the badly injured boy to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead
City on Tuesday and emergency room personnel notified the authorities
after observing signs of physical abuse. Hospital staff told police the
infant had recent bruising and his eyes were red and swollen shut.
Doctors determined that Matthew had multiple broken ribs, a broken femur
and signs of both sexual abuse and shaken baby syndrome. He also was
reportedly malnourished and dehydrated.
Matthew was transferred from WARMC to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas Tuesday
afternoon but died from his injuries Wednesday morning.
Barbosa was arrested Tuesday at WARMC and Vandergriff turned himself in to
authorities later in the day.
Police describe Vandergriff as Barbosa’s boyfriend and the father of both Matthew and Barbosa’s
2-year-old daughter.
The couple’s daughter is reportedly living
with relatives after she was deemed to be in good health. According to
police reports, she showed no signs of physical or sexual abuse. Arizona
Child Protective Services has been brought in to handle the care and
custody of the girl.
Vandergriff and Barbosa are being held at the Mohave County Jail in Kingman.
It’s not the first time that Vandergriff has
been accused of child abuse. He served a jail term and received
probation on a count of child abuse. After serving his sentence, he was
arrested in July of 2007 on a Mohave County Superior Court warrant for
violating his probation in that case. The subject of that probation
violation was not disclosed, nor is it known how that case was resolved.

A Mohave County grand jury formally indicted a Bullhead City
couple for murder in the death of their 6-week-old son.

The grand
jury handed down indictments Thursday against Jonathan Edward
Vandergriff, 23, and Staci Lynn Barbosa, 19, on charges of first-degree
murder, child abuse by domestic violence, sexual assault of a minor
under the age of 15 and sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15.
The couple is expected to be arraigned on the four felony charges July 1
before Superior Court Commissioner Derek Carlisle. Deputy Mohave County
Attorney Greg McPhillips said Friday he has not yet decided whether to
seek the death penalty against the couple. If convicted of the murder
charge, a defendant faces a sentence ranging from the death penalty, if
applicable, to life in prison without parole to life with a chance of
parole after 25 years.

Bullhead City police officers arrested
Barbosa around 11:20 a.m. June 15 after she took her badly injured son
to the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center. Later that day, her
boyfriend, Vandergriff, turned himself in to police officers. Police
detectives searched the couple’s Sea Creek Drive home and reportedly
found marijuana as well as evidence they say will be used in prosecution
of the case.

The boy, Matthew, who was born May 5, suffered from
bruises, broken ribs, a broken femur, and swollen eyes and was
malnourished and dehydrated. The boy also showed signs of sexual abuse
and shaken baby syndrome. Matthew was later taken to a Las Vegas
hospital, where he died the next morning.

Vandergriff is also the father of Barbosa’s 2-year-old daughter,
who, according to police, showed no signs of abuse. He was also charged
in Superior Court in 2006 with child abuse and was sentenced to
probation and jail time. Vandergriff is being held on $500,000 bond and
Barbosa is being held on a $250,000 bond.

This is just one of the saddest stories I have ever heard I can't wait for these people to be put in the general population of prison. Has Deputy Mohave County Attorney Greg McPhillips decided to proceed with the death penalty? How do we get a hold of him? Does anyone have an email address for him or the Judge? I hope people send letters. This poor little child didnt stand a chance, defenseless. They need to set an example in BHC, Kingman, actually in any town, but why does this seem to happen in rural communities? WTF is wrong with people?

If anyone has info for this attorney please forward it on. I'd like to send my thoughts.

Please also check out the New Times post. Vandergriff's mother and brother would also like the death penalty for theses two.
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2010/06/bullhead_city_couple_arrested.php

Mohave County Attorney- Bullhead City
(928) 758-0727

Criminal /
Juvenile Court Commissioner / Pro Tem
Honorable Derek Carlisle

Phone (928)-753-0712
Judicial Administrative Assistant:
Beth K.
Email: commissionercourt@mohavecourts.com

Attorney requests complete autopsy of young victim



KINGMAN — Several motions were argued Tuesday in Superior Court in the death penalty case of a Bullhead City man charged with murdering his infant son.

Jonathan Edward Vandergriff, 24, and his co-defendant, Staci Lynn Barbosa, 19, are each charged with first-degree murder, child abuse by domestic violence, sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15 and sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15.

Only Vandergriff faces the death penalty if convicted of the murder charge. The couple could also face life in prison with or without the chance of parole after 35 years if convicted of murder.

Vandergriff’s Tucson attorney, Creighton Cornell, asked for a complete autopsy report from Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office, calling the report that he received incomplete. The report did not address exams of the child’s brain or retina. Cornell also wanted to make sure the child’s body was still being preserved and even hinted of possible prosecutorial misconduct.

read more.....
http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2010/12/22/news/local/doc4d11a59f432d8847738837.txt

Poor baby isn't buried.

Judge hears deposition argument in murder case

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 11:11 PM MST

KINGMAN —

A motion to depose a witness in
the case of a Bullhead City man who allegedly murdered his infant son
was argued Tuesday in Superior Court.

Court Commissioner Derek
Carlisle allowed Creighton Cornell, the Tucson attorney for Jonathan
Edward Vandergriff, to withdraw a motion to depose a witness in the case
with the understanding that the prosecutor will informally interview
the witness. Cornell may re-file the motion in the future. Cornell said
the witness is in and out of a Phoenix hospital.

Vandergriff, 24,
and his co-defendant, Staci Lynn Barbosa, 19, are each charged with
first-degree murder, child abuse by domestic violence, sexual assault of
a minor under the age of 15 and sexual conduct with a minor under the
age of 15 for the death of their infant son last summer.

Vandergriff
faces the death penalty if convicted of the murder charge. Prosecutors
are not seeking the death penalty against Barbosa. The couple could also
face life in prison with or without the chance of parole after 35 years
if convicted of murder.


Another hearing is set for Tuesday to argue a motion to allow
Cornell to visit with his client in person. Since the new Mohave County
jail has been built, inmates only communicate with family members by
video conferencing and sometimes with attorneys through a glass
partition. Also to be argued is another motion to allow Vandergriff to
have contact with his daughter.

Vandergriff’s case, a capital
murder case, has been designated a complex case, which means he will not
go to trial for more than a year. Vandergriff is being held on $500,000
bond and Barbosa is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Barbosa was
arrested June 15, 2010, after she took her badly injured son, Matthew,
to the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center. Vandergriff turned
himself in to police officers later that day.

According to
hospital staff, Matthew suffered from bruises, broken ribs, a broken
femur, swollen eyes and was malnourished and dehydrated. The infant
allegedly showed signs of sexual abuse and shaken baby syndrome. Matthew
was later taken to a Las Vegas hospital where he died the next morning.

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2011/02/16/news/local/doc4d5b6983e59a2109432509.txt

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2011/04/21/news/local/doc4dafe0eec79df519417829.txt

Vandergriff no longer faces death penalty

Decision based on expense of pursuing capital murder case
By JIM SECKLER/The Daily News
Published: Thursday, April 21, 2011 1:57 AM MDT
KINGMAN — A Bullhead City murder suspect will not face the death penalty if he is convicted of the murder of his son.

Deputy Mohave County Attorney Greg McPhillips said he will not pursue the death penalty in the case of Jonathan Edward Vandergriff, 24. Vandergriff is charged with first-degree murder, child abuse by domestic violence, sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15 and sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15 for the death of his infant son in June 2010.

If convicted of murder, Vandergriff will face life in prison with or without the chance of parole after 35 years. The case is tentatively being heard before Superior Court Judge Rick Williams. It had been before Court Commissioner Derek Carlisle, but county supervisors recently ruled that judges pro-tempore cannot oversee death penalty cases.

McPhillips said he took the death penalty off the table because of the struggling financial situation facing the county and the state. It is too costly for the county to have two death penalty cases at the same time. Prosecutors will still seek the death penalty against Darrell Bryant Ketchner, 52, who is charged with the murder of 18-year-old Ariel Allison and the attack of her mother, Jennifer Allison on July 4, 2009, at their Kingman home.

Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith said death penalty cases can cost on average of about $250,000 or more, depending on the length of the case. That cost could increase if the conviction and sentence is appealed. Depending on the length of a case, non-capital cases cost a fraction of that.

Vandergriff’s co-defendant, Staci Lynn Barbosa, 19, is also charged with first-degree murder, child abuse by domestic violence, sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15 and sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15. She also faces life in prison with or without the chance of parole after 35 years if convicted of murder. McPhillips did not seek the death penalty against Barbosa, the infant’s mother.

Barbosa was arrested June 15, 2010 after she took her badly injured son, Matthew, to the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center. Vandergriff turned himself in later that day. Matthew suffered from bruises, broken ribs, broken femur, swollen and shut eyes and was malnourished and dehydrated. The infant allegedly showed signs of sexual abuse and shaken baby syndrome. Matthew was later taken to a Las Vegas hospital, where he died the next morning.

Vandergriff is being held in county jail on a $500,000 bond and Barbosa is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Bump

The presiding Mohave County Superior Court judge terminated Friday
the contract of the Tucson attorney representing a Bullhead City murder
suspect.

Superior Court Judge Richard Weiss relieved Creighton
Cornell from representing Jonathan Edward Vandergriff, 24, of Bullhead
City and terminated Cornell’s contract. Weiss ended the contract because
prosecutors are no longer seeking the death penalty against
Vandergriff. The judge assigned the case to the public defender’s
office. Chief Mohave County Public Defender John Pecchia still
represents Vandergriff.

Vandergriff is charged with first-degree
murder, child abuse by domestic violence, sexual assault of a minor
under the age of 15 and sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15
for the death of his infant son in June 2010.

Weiss also granted
the prosecution’s motion to withdraw the death penalty from Vandergriff
case. If convicted of murder, Vandergriff faces life in prison with or
without the chance of parole after 35 years. Death penalty cases could
cost the county a quarter million dollars or more depending on the
length of the case. Depending on its length, non-capital cases would
only cost about a tenth of that.

Weiss also gave the public defender’s office 15 days to determine
whether to challenge Judge Rick Williams’ ability to hear Cornell’s
challenge to excuse Superior Court Judge Steven Conn from the case. No
further motions by Cornell will be considered, Weiss said.

Cornell
filed motions to excuse Conn and Williams. Vandergriff’s case had been
before Superior Court Commissioner Derek Carlisle, but the county
supervisors recently ruled that judges pro-tempore cannot oversee death
penalty cases.

Vandergriff’s codefendant, Staci Lynn Barbosa, 19,
is also charged with first-degree murder, child abuse by domestic
violence, sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15 and sexual
conduct with a minor under the age of 15. She faces life in prison with
or without the chance of parole after 35 years if convicted of murder.
Vandergriff is being held on $500,000 bond and Barbosa is being held on a
$250,000 bond.

On June 15, 2010 Barbosa took her son, Matthew to
the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center where he was suffering from
bruises, broken ribs, broken femur, swollen and shut eyes and was
malnourished and dehydrated. The infant allegedly showed signs of sexual
abuse and shaken baby syndrome. Matthew was later taken to a Las Vegas
hospital where he died the next morning.

Barbosa was arrested at the hospital by police. Vandergriff turned himself into police officers later that day.

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2011/05/17/news/local/doc4dd229aebd8f0960782338.txt

KINGMAN — A Bullhead City murder suspect is getting a new attorney and possibly a new judge.

Flagstaff
attorney Steve Glazer withdrew from the murder case of Jonathan Edward
Vandergriff, citing a conflict in the case. Glazer reportedly defended
Vandergriff’s former girlfriend in an earlier case. Mohave County spent
$2,060 for Glazer to handle the case, which has now been reassigned to
Prescott attorney Dan DeRienzo.

Vandergriff, 24, of Bullhead
City, is charged with first-degree murder, child abuse by domestic
violence, sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15 and sexual
conduct with a minor under the age of 15 for the death of his infant son
in June 2010.

Criminal Justice Services Manager Dana Hlavac said
his office will check for initial conflicts when assigning a case to a
private attorney based on available information. Then each private
attorney and his or her office have the responsibility to check if there
is a conflict in the case, such as that attorney defending a
co-defendant or anyone else possibly connected to the case. The reason
the county is contracting another private attorney is there is a
conflict with the public and legal defender’s office.


Hlavac said it is not unusual for conflicts to be discovered
in the process of a criminal case, sometimes late in the case. Hlavac
credits Glazer for finding the conflict early in Vandergriff’s case.
Glazer has been on the case for about a month.

In May, Presiding
Superior Court Judge Richard Weiss relieved Tucson attorney Creighton
Cornell from representing Vandergriff and terminated Cornell’s contract.
Cornell’s contract paid him about $50,000. Weiss ended the contract
because prosecutors are no longer seeking the death penalty against
Vandergriff. The judge then assigned the case to the public defender’s
office. If convicted of murder, Vandergriff faces life in prison with or
without the chance of parole after 35 years.

The case has also
gone through a merry-go-round of judges with Cornell filing several
motions to excuse nearly all the criminal judges from the case, which is
now back before Superior Court Judge Steven Conn.

Vandergriff’s
co-defendant, Staci Lynn Barbosa, 19, is also charged with first-degree
murder, child abuse by domestic violence, sexual assault of a minor
under the age of 15 and sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15.
She faces life in prison with or without the chance of parole after 35
years if convicted of murder. Vandergriff is being held on $500,000 bond
and Barbosa is being held on a $250,000 bond.

On June 15, 2010,
Barbosa took her son, Matthew to the Western Arizona Regional Medical
Center where he was suffering from bruises, broken ribs, broken femur,
swollen and shut eyes and was malnourished and dehydrated. The infant
allegedly showed signs of sexual abuse and shaken baby syndrome. Matthew
was later taken to a Las Vegas hospital where he died the next morning.

Barbosa was arrested at the hospital by police. Vandergriff turned himself in to police officers later that day.

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2011/07/17/news/local/doc4e228c27c7035438890370.txt