San Tan Valley shooting suspect granted lengthy extension

Gary Markensen’s attorney Monday morning asked the court for a very long extension until the next hearing, saying no plea has been offered, so they are preparing for trial. He has been charged with second-degree attempted murder, discharging a firearm at a residence, two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of disorderly conduct.

He said the state has already had an expert look at the evidence, and the defense just received the funds to hire their own expert to do things like reconstruction.

He also said the state was able to get some partial recovery of the victim’s cellphone and it’s quite a large amount to go through, so more time is needed.

When asked if a plea agreement could be reached in the future, Markensen’s attorney said his team will have to do its own investigation.

The court has set a scheduling conference for Markensen, who is out of custody, for 10 a.m. on Oct. 10

Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies responded to two calls of a shooting around 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 on Saddle Way in San Tan Valley, according to a probable cause report filed by PCSO with the Pinal County Superior Court. The first caller said that someone had been shot in front of their house and the person had lost a lot of blood.

The second 911 call came from a man who claimed that his neighbor attacked him and he was injured when he was pushed to the ground. He also told deputies that he shot at the neighbor in self-defense.