A man who was accused of killing his mother late last month was indicted May 13 on charges of murder, attempted arson, kidnapping and aggravated assault.
Pima County Sheriff's deputies arrested Shane Martin, 41, on May 1.
On April 26, deputies responded to a welfare call at a residence in the 4200 block of East Dover Stravenue, where they found Julia Rankin, 73, deceased in her home with obvious signs of trauma, according to a Pima County Sheriff's Department release.
The sheriff's department initially sought both Martin and his partner as suspects in the case.
After details emerged in an interview with the partner, deputies are no longer considering the partner a suspect in the case, according to a search warrant filed in Pima County Superior Court.
Martin and his partner moved from Arkansas into Rankin's home about two weeks before deputies found Rankin, the warrant said.
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Rankin told one of her caregivers she was scared of her son. Court documents also indicate Rankin and Martin would argue often.
Martin has been previously convicted of crimes including child sexual assault, burglary, and terrorist threat.
Martin is being held on a $1 million bond. A hearing for Martin is scheduled for June 24 at Pima County Superior Court.Â
