Brother of Phoenix attorney James 'Artie' Eaves appears in court on murder charges
Man accused of shooting his brother appears in court
Suspect Christopher Eaves, accused of shooting his brother, James 'Artie' Eaves, a prominent attorney in the Phoenix area, appears in court. FOX 10's Kenzie Beach has the latest.
PHOENIX - Phoenix attorney James Eaves was shot and killed outside his Arcadia home on March 21.
Police say his younger brother, 49-year-old Christopher Eaves, is the man responsible.
Featured
Victim in deadly shooting identified as prominent Phoenix attorney, brother arrested
Phoenix Police identify the victim of a deadly shooting in Phoenix and say the man's brother was arrested in connection.
What happened in court?
What we know:
He made his first appearance in court on March 22.
Christopher Eaves was vocal in court. The judge told him this was not a debate, and he was ordered not to contact the victim's family.
It makes for a complicated situation since the two are brothers.
"It's the state's belief that the defendant poses a risk to the community, as well as family in this case," prosecutors said to the judge, who set bond for Eaves at $1.5 million.
Christopher Eaves
Eaves, 49, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his brother, a prominent Phoenix attorney who spent time working for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office under Rachel Mitchell and Allister Adel.
Following the judge's no-contact order, Christopher Eaves went against the judge in court on Saturday, speaking out of turn.
"The next of kin of the victim, the mother and father. They're my mother and father. That is the address of my driver's license. And that is where I've lived for a very long time," Eaves said.
"This is not a debate. Mr. Johnson is speaking. You don't speak at the same time he is speaking," the judge replied.
Christopher Eaves also argued about his Miranda rights in Saturday's court proceedings.
The backstory:
Gunshots captured on the next-door neighbor's Nest camera were heard, erupting through the Arcadia neighborhood where police found 51-year-old James "Artie" Eaves shot to death outside his home.
Artie most recently worked at Sanders and Parks Attorneys at Law. His photo still appears on the firm's website.
What they're saying:
"The defendant went over to the victim's house early yesterday morning and shot the victim, fired multiple shots. He returned to his house with his parents, and Phoenix Police found multiple loaded weapons in the defendant's car," prosecutors said.
Christopher Eaves returned to the scene of the crime with his family and FOX 10 cameras captured the younger brother being detained by officers and taken into custody.
What's next:
On Sunday, March 23, FOX 10 went to the family's home looking for more answers.
The father of the brothers, Clark Eaves, answered the door of his Scottsdale home.
"We are not going to talk," he said.
When asked if he wanted to comment on his sons, he said, "No, thank you though."
On the chance he does bond out, he would be allowed to get his personal items from this home with a deputy present.
He will also have to wear an ankle monitor.