"A prominent California farmer was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife in a remote mountain community in Arizona, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office said. Michael Abatti, 63, was arrested in El Centro and booked into jail on a first-degree murder charge. He is awaiting extradition to Arizona. Authorities say they believe he drove to Arizona on Nov. 20 and fatally shot Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, before returning home to California."
"She was found dead in her family's tree-shrouded vacation home in Pinetop, Arizona, where she moved after splitting with her husband. Attorneys for Michael Abatti said in a Wednesday statement that he "has devoted himself to his family, to his work, and to his community" and will be entering a not-guilty plea. His attorneys added they are "deeply concerned" about his health, as he suffers from numerous medical conditions requiring ongoing treatment and access to specialized care."
Michael Abatti, 63, was arrested in El Centro and booked on a first-degree murder charge and is awaiting extradition to Arizona. Authorities allege he drove to Arizona on Nov. 20, fatally shot his estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, and then returned to California. Kerri was found dead in her family's tree-shrouded vacation home in Pinetop after moving there following the couple's split. Attorneys for Michael said he will enter a not-guilty plea, emphasized his devotion to family and community, and expressed deep concern about his numerous medical conditions and need for specialized care. Authorities searched his Southern California home on Dec. 2 as part of the investigation. Abatti has longstanding farming ties in the Imperial Valley and previously served on the Imperial Irrigation District board.
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