A well-known California farmer charged in the shooting death of his estranged wife has been extradited to Arizona and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
Michael Abatti, 63, entered the plea on Wednesday, Dec. 31, during his initial appearance in Navajo County Superior Court following his extradition from El Centro, California. He was arrested last month in connection with the killing of Kerri Ann Abatti, 59, according to a statement from the Navajo County Attorney’s Office.
Kerri Ann Abatti was found dead at the couple’s second home in Pinetop, Arizona, where she had relocated after the pair separated.
Prosecutors said Abatti is being held in the Navajo County Jail on a $5.5 million bond.
His defense attorneys, Owen Roth and Danni Iredale, said they have concerns about Abatti’s health and noted that if he were released, he would continue receiving medical treatment while complying with all bond conditions.
“At this time we are asking the public to withhold judgment,” Iredale said. “For decades he’s been a pillar of the community, contributing to charitable causes, and he’s entitled to a fair shake in our justice system just as anyone accused of a serious crime is.”
Authorities allege Abatti traveled from El Centro to Pinetop on Nov. 20, carried out the killing, and then returned immediately to California.
In a Dec. 23 news release, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office said investigators searched “residences, properties, vehicles and camp trailers” associated with the Abatti family in El Centro. Officials reported seizing “a significant amount of evidence,” which they say ultimately led to Abatti’s arrest.
Regarding a possible motive, Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse said during a later press conference that he could not speak to specifics but pointed to the couple’s pending divorce.
“The only thing that’s glaring, that I think everybody already knows, there’s a divorce in place and they weren’t able to come to a resolution,” Clouse said.
The couple owned Abatti Farms in El Centro, according to the Desert Sun, which reviewed their divorce filings. The divorce reportedly came as a surprise to Michael Abatti, who claimed Kerri left in August 2023 while he was away on a fishing trip.
A pretrial conference and release hearing are scheduled for March 17 in Navajo County Superior Court.
