Murder / Homicide
Nancy Guthrie Investigation: Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Analyzes What Happens Next
In this interview, defense attorney Josh Kolsrud explains that the Nancy Guthrie investigation appears to have reached a point where the public should expect very few updates until a major breakthrough occurs. He notes that in complex cases like this, law enforcement often withholds information while pursuing leads behind the scenes, meaning the public is likely seeing only a small portion of the overall investigative picture. Josh compares the situation to other high-profile cases where silence preceded an arrest, emphasizing that coordination with authorities in Mexico suggests investigators are actively working multiple angles
Read MorePolice Helicopter Crash Fallout: Could Felony Murder Apply?
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud explains that felony murder doesn’t require intent to kill — only that a death is a foreseeable result of committing a dangerous felony. In this case, he notes that if investigators determine the suspect was firing at the police helicopter, or even exchanging gunfire with officers while the helicopter was actively involved in the pursuit, felony murder charges could apply.
Read MorePhoenix Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Offers Insights Into Teacher-Student Assault
In his Phoenix 12 News interview, defense attorney Josh Kolsrud zeroed in on the self-defense claim being floated in the case. Based on the facts shared by the school, Kolsrud said he does not see a viable self-defense argument, emphasizing that striking a child in the back doesn’t align with how self-defense is legally defined. His analysis suggests that even if a classroom situation was chaotic, the alleged response crosses a legal line—especially when force is used against a student who is not actively threatening the adult.
Read MoreDefense Gamesmanship: Josh Kolsrud Breaks Down the Banfield Trial Strategy
Criminal defense attorney Josh Kolsrud says he’s “floored” — but not by the evidence. In his view, the defense team’s recent moves are pure gamesmanship. Josh suggests the strategy is designed to distract prosecutors heading into a critical preparation weekend, forcing them to worry about cross-examination instead of tightening their closing arguments. He notes that Brendan Banfield himself appeared surprised by his attorneys’ statements, reinforcing Josh’s belief that this is a tactical play rather than a sign Banfield will testify. In fact, Josh predicts flatly: Banfield likely won’t take the stand.
Read MoreFrom Courtroom Strategist To Community Leader: Why Joshua Kolsrud Is A Trendsetter In Arizona
In Trendsetters AZ Foothills magazine, Joshua Kolsrud is spotlighted not just as the Founder of Kolsrud Law Offices, but as a modern legal advocate whose personal philosophy fuels his professional success. Known for his sharp advocacy and unwavering commitment to justice, Kolsrud’s story combines deep legal expertise with genuine human insight.
Read More“A Defense That Fell Apart”: Josh Kolsrud On The Fire Chief Kevin West Murder Trial
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud said he was “flabbergasted” by the defense strategy used in the trial of fire chief Kevin West, who is accused of strangling his wife, Marcelle “Marcy” West. According to Kolsrud, the claim that Marcy West died from a seizure caused by a massage was not just unusual, but fundamentally flawed. As a trial lawyer who regularly handles homicide cases, he described the theory as a risky all-or-nothing approach that placed the entire defense on a medical explanation that was highly vulnerable to expert testimony.
Read More“Justice Vs. Age”: Josh Kolsrud Analyzes Derek Rosa’s Guilty Plea And Sentence
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud described the Derek Rosa case as one of the most challenging situations the justice system can face, stressing that age alone cannot outweigh the severity of the crime. He noted that stabbing one’s mother 40 times while she slept is an “adult act” that demands real accountability. In Kolsrud’s view, society cannot simply excuse conduct of this magnitude, even when the defendant is only 13 years old at the time of the offense.
Read MoreCircumstantial Case, High Stakes: Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Breaks Down the Michael Abadi Murder Charges
According to Kolsrud, investigators do not have a confession, a murder weapon, or direct forensic proof tying Michael Abattii to the shooting. What they do have are travel records and timestamps allegedly showing Abattii driving from California to Pinetop and back within a 24-hour window. Kolsrud noted this timeline will be central to prosecutors attempting to establish motive, means, and opportunity—but stressed that circumstantial evidence alone still leaves significant room for doubt.
Read MoreDefense Attorney Josh Kolsrud: Prosecution’s Case Against Brendan Banfield May Be on Shaky Ground
In his recent appearance on Court TV, Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud argued that though the Brendan Banfield case is deeply disturbing—he cautions that the prosecution’s version of events should not be taken at face value. While prosecutors allege an elaborate, premeditated plot involving a fetish website and a staged attack, Kolsrud emphasizes that these are still allegations, not proven facts. He outlines three competing narratives the jury must consider: that the au pair orchestrated the events, that Banfield did, or that Banfield walked in believing his wife was under attack and reacted in the moment.
Read MoreJosh Kolsrud Weighs In On Extradition Hearing Of Murder Suspect Michael Abadi With Channel 3 News
Phoenix News 3 is tracking the case of Michael Abadi, a well-known California farmer accused of shooting and killing his wife, Kerianne, in Pinetop just before Thanksgiving. Investigators say evidence points to Abadi driving from Imperial County, California to Arizona, committing the murder, and then returning to California, where he was later arrested in El Centro. While he’s expected to be sent back to Navajo County to face murder charges, the big question right now is timing—when will he actually appear in an Arizona courtroom?
Read MoreJosh Kolsrud on the Brianna Aguilera Investigation: “Follow the Facts”
In a recent Court TV discussion, defense attorney Josh Kolsrud shared his perspective on why Austin police reached a suicide conclusion in the death of Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera—and why, in his view, that conclusion isn’t inherently unreasonable based on what investigators have described so far.
Read MoreDefense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Insights on the Anna Kepner Cruise Ship Death
In a recent Court TV appearance, Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud shared legal insights on the investigation into the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a cruise ship. Below is a summary of the case background and highlights of Kolsrud’s perspective.
Read MoreCourt TV Appearance: Josh Kolsrud on the Trinity Poague Verdict
Criminal defense attorney Josh Kolsrud joined Court TV to discuss the guilty verdict in the Trinity Poague case, where Poague—a former Georgia pageant winner—was convicted on five of six counts and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years for the death of her boyfriend’s 18‑month‑old son.
Read MoreDelays in the Cudjoe Young Murder Case | Criminal Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Weighs in on 12News
October 16, 2025 -12 News Phoenix The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Cudjoe Young have attracted significant public attention. Young is currently facing both first-degree murder and kidnapping charges in connection to the killing of Mercedes Vega, alongside an earlier charge for armed robbery involving Vega and several other dancers in Phoenix. Notably, Young’s trials have…
Read MoreDefense Attorney Josh Kolsrud’s Continued Media Success 162 Interviews And Counting
“It’s been a heck of a year full of media! 162 interviews and counting. Excited and humbled, and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings” – Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud In Arizona’s dynamic legal landscape, few names have become as recognizable as Josh Kolsrud — a leading Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney…
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