Jurors told murder victim made sexual advances

Kim Smith

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002 | 9:36 a.m.

Attorneys for an Arizona man charged with murder told jurors Wednesday the victim in the case made an unwanted sexual advance toward their client, and he fought back.

Deputy Public Defender Thomas Ericsson said Gregory Amato, 36, didn't know he had killed Jimmie D. Ingle, 57. He said the two fought when Ingle made a pass at Amato as they were smoking marijuana in a secluded area in Laughlin.

Ingle was a military veteran who was living in Needles, Calif., with his wife of 33 years.

Deputy District Attorney Marc DiGiacomo told jurors that Amato crushed Ingle's head with a 13-pound rock so he could steal his wallet, credit cards and vehicle.

Wednesday was the first day in Amato's trial. He has been charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon, robbery, burglary, grand larceny auto, fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of a stolen vehicle.

DiGiacomo believes Amato and Ingle met for the first time at a Bullhead City, Ariz., bar known to cater to homosexuals. He said they left together the evening of April 25.

Ingle's body was found by a jogger in Laughlin the next morning. His wallet and vehicle were gone, and the bloody rock was nearby.

DiGiacomo said during opening arguments that a prostitute will testify that Amato picked her up in the early morning hours of April 26, introduced himself as "Jimmie D" and sold her the pickup he was driving for $500.

The prostitute told police that she again met up with "Jimmie D" a day or so later. This time he was using the name of "Greg." During their time together "Greg" told her the truck actually belonged to a dead man.

DiGiacomo said that when the woman nervously asked if the body was buried, the man said no and it was about to be discovered. The two soon parted company.

When the police found the vehicle at a Bullhead motel, the woman led police to Amato, who was staying near her mother's home, DiGiacomo said.

Police later learned that Ingle's credit card was used multiple times between midnight and 2 a.m. April 26, and surveillance tapes clearly show Amato at the stores where the card was used, DiGiacomo said.

Amato gave police three or four conflicting stories to explain how he got Ingle's credit card and vehicle, DiGiacomo said.