Judge issues warrants in man's beating death

Pursuit and Capture: Navajo Nation Police Officer Willis Martine walks an auto theft suspect toward a police unit for transport on Friday afternoon near the Breadsprings Day School. The suspect was arrested following a high-speed pursuit that reached speeds up to 95 mph. The pursuit ended with the suspect losing control of the vehicle then taking off on foot. Navajo Police and McKinley County Sheriff's deputies were able to recover the vehicle along with the victim's cell phone and wallet. Yazzie is wanted for questioning in a local murder. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

Aaron Nez

GALLUP — District Judge Grant Foutz issued warrants for the arrest of two men in connection with the beating death of a 24-year-old Church Rock man on Aug. 3.

Pinedale resident Aaron Nez, 20, and Hardrock, Ariz., resident Marklin "Junior" Yazzie, 17, are wanted by police for their alleged roles in Pedro Yazzie's murder. Nez also uses the alias Eric Nez, according to authorities. Nez and Marklin Yazzie allegedly beat Pedro Yazzie to death following an argument over a girl and drugs.

The pair is reportedly not affiliated with a gang. A passer-by discovered Pedro Yazzie half naked and nearly lifeless inside a ditch at Jay and McBride Streets.

Pedro Yazzie was transported to an Albuquerque hospital where he remained in a coma until he died nearly a week later. Gallup detective Juan Reyes said Yazzie died from a blunt force trauma, which was most likely inflicted by a metal object.

A group of at least five confidential informants and at least one witness to the beating led officers to investigate Nez and Marklin Yazzie. Additional information about what links the pair to the crime was not immediately available.

The arrest warrants have been sealed from the public until potential criminal cases involving the matter proceed to preliminary hearing. Reyes said Gallup police and FBI agents searched for Marklin Yazzie on Monday night near Hardrock but came up empty-handed.

Reyes said he has spoken with Marklin Yazzie's mother about her son's pending arrest and that she indicated Yazzie may turn himself into police.

Meanwhile, tribal authorities are looking to arrest Marklin Yazzie for failure to appear in court regarding an incident where he allegedly stole a vehicle in Gallup days after Pedro Yazzie's death.

If tribal authorities arrest Marklin Yazzie first, he will be extradited to McKinley County to face the murder charges.

Reyes said Marklin Yazzie's girlfriend lives in Shiprock and he may be in the area.

"I want to close the doors on them," Reyes said of the pair.

Once arrested, the pair will remain jailed on a $200,000 cash only bond and will be charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Marklin Yazzie is 5' 9" tall and weighs about 140 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Aaron "Eric" Nez is about 5 feet 4 inches tall and also weighs about 140 pounds.

Reyes said other suspects may be arrested in connection with Pedro Yazzie's death. Anyone with information about the pair's whereabouts, is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (505) 722-6161 or Reyes at 726-5429.