Assault trial of missing-mom suspect may be decided today

Testimony is expected to continue today in Salt Lake City in the aggravated assault trial of a man suspected in the disappearance of a Carson City mother.

Carson City Sheriff's detective Steve Johnson was one of eight witnesses to testify Israel "Juan Carlos" Tellez allegedly pointed a gun at officers Nov. 21, when he was approached by investigators wanting to question him in the disappearance of Bertha Anguiano, 32.

Salt Lake prosecutor Fred Burmeister said he expects to put three more witnesses on the stand today and the jury could receive the case by noon.

Tellez, 36, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon by a restricted person and carrying a concealed weapon.

Once the Utah case is adjudicated, authorities expect to bring Tellez back to Nevada on a traffic warrant.

No charges have been filed against him in Anguiano's disappearance.

The married mother of three was last seen Nov. 10 outside her son's elementary school talking with a man. Some 90 minutes later, her 3-year-old son was found bloodied and abandoned behind a Dayton grocery store. He told police "Juan" killed his mother.

A search of Tellez's vehicle, recovered after his arrest, revealed blood in the backseat that genetically matched a female relative of her 3-year-old son. The blood on the boy's clothing also matched the blood in the vehicle. Tellez has denied any knowledge of Anguiano's whereabouts, according to police.

Several searches of area mines and fields have been unable to uncover any clues to the missing woman's location.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.

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