TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) - A legal battle continues between Pima County Attorney Laura Conover and the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the custody of murder suspect Julio Cesar Aguirre. The case centers on whether Aguirre, an undocumented immigrant accused of a crime spree in Tucson last June, should face state charges.

A federal judge in Tucson will soon decide if Aguirre must be presented in state court to face charges, including murder. The DOJ responded to Conover's legal demands in a court filing last week. Download PDF

The DOJ claims Conover lacks a legal basis to request Aguirre's transfer for state prosecution. In a formal response to Conover's writ of habeas corpus, the DOJ argues there is no federal statute or constitutional provision requiring or authorizing the transfer of A

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