Other articles by Kim Smith:

Man gets 10 years in stickup, ATM theft Deal means 17 1/2 years, max, in rapeAjo man, 19, is indicted in rape, killing of girl, 7 After 20 years on death row, he's free 3 arraigned in killings of girl, 9, father Judge rejects effort to silence Hermitage criticism Drug seller gets added 25 years in plot to kill officerAirman at Tucson's D-M indicted in molestation casePrison for Tucson man who wanted police officer killedProbation for Tucson man in arson-for-marriage case

Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION General
A1 Communications
Cable Techs Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator

One of three people accused of first-degree murder in the March slaying of a Tucson taxi driver could receive the death penalty if he's convicted.

The Pima County Attorney's Office has officially filed notice that it intends to seek the death penalty for Ruben E. Archunde, 20, for the death of Timothy R. Royce, 27.

Royce's body was found in a Midtown alley between North Sixth and North Seventh avenues north of East Helen Street near his Yellow Cab.

At the time, detectives said Royce, a Pima Community College graduate expecting a child with his girlfriend, was shot in an apparent robbery.

Archunde, Marisela N. Pacheco, 30, and Jessica R. Gallegos, 16, were arrested less than a week later.

Police believe Archunde did the shooting, but authorities charged Pacheco and Gallegos in the homicide as well. State law mandates a homicide charge for anyone charged with participating in certain felonies, such as robbery, if the crime results in death.

Detectives found the three suspects at their residence in the 3600 block of East Third Street by tracking people who rode in the cab.

According to court documents, prosecutors believe Archunde is eligible for the death penalty for four reasons.

They believe Archunde committed the crime for money; he acted in an "especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner"; and he committed the crime the crime in a "cold, calculated manner without pretense of moral or legal justification." The prosecutors also allege that the crime was committed while Archunde was awaiting trial in another, unrelated case.

Archunde's attorney, David Basham, said he doesn't believe the death penalty is warranted in this case.

"We're going to fight it all of the way," Basham said.

The three defendants are scheduled to have their trial date set on July 14.

Judge Frank Dawley is presiding over the case in Pima County Superior Court.