A Maricopa County jury has returned a not guilty verdict for Peter Clabron III, who was charged with manslaughter in the 2023 shooting death of Jeremiah Aviles. The verdict concludes an 11-day trial involving the former Red Mountain High School football teammate of the victim.
Aviles, 18, was killed in May 2023 while visiting a friend’s house. Court documents filed during the investigation indicated that Clabron was under the influence of substances and handling a firearm when the weapon discharged, striking Aviles. The incident occurred more than three years ago.
Olga Lopez, Aviles’ mother, described feeling numb upon hearing the verdict on Wednesday. She emphasized that while the case has drawn public attention, the impact on her family remains profound and ongoing. Lopez noted that she had held out hope for a conviction for over three years, but the outcome left her without a sense of resolution. She stated that families who lose children in such tragedies do not find closure.
Prior to the trial, Lopez expressed dissatisfaction with the Mesa Police Department’s handling of the investigation, characterizing it as subpar. She questioned whether the quality of the police work contributed to the lack of a conviction. When contacted regarding these concerns, Mesa Police declined to provide a comment on the case.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office issued a statement regarding the prosecution’s efforts. Officials noted that the case was significantly complicated by the death of a key witness. Despite the difficulty, the office stated it respects the jury’s decision.
