A Phoenix man has been charged with gunning down his brother, a prominent attorney, in the brother’s driveway on Friday morning.
Christopher Eaves, 49, was arrested when he returned to the crime scene with his parents later that morning while Phoenix Police were on scene investigating, KTVK reported.
In court on Saturday, Eaves argued with prosecutors and judge, claiming he had been read his Miranda rights and demanding details about the prosecution’s case. The judge told him the hearing was “not a debate” and that he shouldn’t be talking while the prosecutor was providing information.
Police arrived at the home of James “Artie” Eaves, 51, 8 a.m. on Friday and found the attorney dead in his driveway. A neighbor’s doorbell camera captured the sound of gunshots.
While they were on scene, Christopher Eaves returned and was arrested.
“The defendant went over to the victim’s house early yesterday morning and shot the victim, fired multiple shots,” prosecutors said at a hearing on Saturday, KSAZ reported. “He returned to his house with his parents, and Phoenix Police found multiple loaded weapons in the defendant’s car.”
Eaves interrupted at that point, demanding to know “what car.”
Prosecutors asked that Eaves be given no bond.
“It’s the state’s belief that the defendant poses a risk to the community, as well as family in this case,” prosecutors said.
The judge handed out a $1.5 million bond, along with restrictions barring him from contact with any member of his family. That prompted another argument as Eaves said that he lives with parents. The judge told him he would be allowed to retrieve belongings from the home in the company of a deputy.
Prosecutors did not provide information about a motive for the murder at the hearing.
Artie Eaves was an attorney with the firm Sanders+Park, where he handled” medical malpractice cases on behalf of doctors and hospitals, as well as governmental liability matters for municipalities and counties,” the firm said.
He had previously worked as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Christopher Eaves is due back in court on Thursday.
