A man accused of dumping body parts around central Arizona was scheduled to change his plea on Monday. Instead, he surprisingly opted to represent himself and go to trial.
Walter Harold Mitchell III, 60, pleaded not guilty to 29 felony counts of concealing or abandoning a dead body.
Authorities linked Mitchell to human remains that were found on the outskirts of Prescott, Arizona in late December 2020. He was connected to the crime through tags and medical gauze that were located on the remains.
The remains that include; arms, legs, and heads, have been linked to nine people.
Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Krista Carman set Mitchell’s trial for late August into September.
During his five-day trial, he would be responsible for all aspects of his defense. However, Judge Carman would appoint him an advisory counsel.
The prosecution withdrew a plea agreement that would have made Mitchell eligible for probation. He faces a maximum of more than 22 years if convicted of all the charges.
