Tucson, Ariz.-The Pima County Attorney’s Office is releasing the following details on high-profile case court proceedings:
Erik Hite Case
In the death of Officer Erik Hite on June 2, 2008, the shooter David Delich, and his attorneys attempted to make modifications to his conviction and a Pima County Superior Court Judge denied that motion. Today’s court outcome reaffirms that Mr. Delich will never be released from prison during his lifetime.
This year, Mr. Delich filed a petition for post-conviction relief, asking the Court to modify his sentence for the last two counts from guilty pleas to guilty except insane pleas, which became a question of statewide importance.
We want to thank our Criminal SVU Supervisor and Prosecutor Brad Roach who took the lead in the case to help gain this outcome. Our thoughts are with the family of fallen Officer Erik Hite.
Ariana Rounds Case
Ariana Rounds was accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with two minors while serving as a youth leader at a Pima County church in 2021 and 2023. Rounds pleaded guilty to 2 counts of child abuse with sex motivation. As a result, a Pima County Judge sentenced her today to 25 years of probation on the sex offender caseload, requiring her to participate in counseling and treatment as directed by the Pima County Adult Probation Department. She will need to obtain their approval for her place of residence, workplace, and/or community service.
The plea agreement was offered in this case after communications and consultation with family members of the victims who strenuously wished not to participate personally, to avoid retraumatizing the victims. Ms. Rounds was ordered to have no contact with the victims or their families. Pursuant to A.R.S. 13-3716, Ms. Rounds must notify any organization that sponsors activities in which adults supervise children of her conviction when volunteering or applying for a job.
The Court can also order her to register as a sex offender at any point during probation if deemed appropriate. If Adult Probation believes she is fulfilling her probation requirements, Ms. Rounds can ask the court to reduce the probation term after ten years have been successfully completed. If Ms. Rounds is not successful on probation, a potential prison term of up to 7.5 years is available as a potential consequence along with a lifetime requirement of registry as a sex offender.
Jana Giron Texting Case
Today a Pima County Judge continued the sentencing of Jana Giron for her conviction on a single count of Tampering with Evidence in the texting crash that resulted in the deaths of Caitlin Festerling and Paul Garcia. The other charges of reckless manslaughter, criminal damage, and endangerment resulted in a hung jury. Sentencing in the tampering case is set for 10/28/24.
Pima County prosecutors will pursue a new trial on the remaining charges. That new trial date is set for February 4, 2025, in the courtroom of Judge Christopher Browning. The trial could potentially last up to 2 weeks.
*Given the likelihood of further litigation in these matters, media interviews about these cases are not available at this time.
Pima County Attorney’s Office
The Pima County Attorney’s Office is committed to restorative justice, transparency, and accountability as the focus of a mission that also seeks alternatives to incarceration when appropriate, provides support for victims, and strives to be inclusive and equitable to all segments of the communities we serve in the pursuit of public safety and wellbeing.
Media Contact: Shawndrea Thomas
Director of Communications
Pima County Attorney’s Office
(520) 724-5738 (Office)
(520) 310-4720 (Mobile)
Shawndrea.Thomas@pcao.pima.gov
