North Pima News

Senator Anthony Kern (R-AZ) recently took to platform X, which used to be Twitter, to express his concerns about accused murderer Anthony Kern, who is scheduled to be released from his halfway house.

On Monday, Arizona Senator Anthony Kern utilized platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice his concerns about reports regarding Rodney Aviles, a man accused of murder, who is said to be scheduled for release from a halfway house.

"Katie Hobbs and Kris Mayes - Why are you allowing our citizens to be put in danger??," Kern posted on platform X.

Fox 10 Phoenix reported that In 1999, Rodney Aviles was accused of murdering his mother and 7-year-old niece after being released from a mental health facility, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Due to his mental illness, he was initially deemed unfit to stand trial, and the charges against him were dismissed. However, as his condition improved with medication, he was later charged with first-degree murder but has been found unfit for trial on multiple occasions. Aviles is currently at a 24-hour residential facility.

"Rodney Aviles brutally murdered his mother and 7-year-old niece and is now free to roam our neighborhoods without ever having to stand trial," said Arizona Senate Republicans, according to a post on the X platform. "@anthonykernAZ, @Rachel1Mitchell and the Aviles family shared powerful testimony about the impact of his release and the importance of closing the gap between our legal and mental health systems."

Aviles' family, along with lawmakers and the Maricopa County Attorney, strongly opposes his release, citing concerns about their safety. They are urging Governor Hobbs to keep Aviles behind bars, which can only happen with a new court order or an Executive Order, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.

"Mr. Aviles was released pursuant to a Superior Court order mandating his release from the Arizona State Hospital," a statement from Attorney General Kris Maye's office reads, according to Fox 10 Phoenix. "The AG’s office serves as legal counsel for the state hospital and has no additional comments to make," read a brief statement issued by officials with the AG's Office."