Man on Trial for Murder: Allegedly Bound Victim with Zip-Ties and Hid Body in Barrel

Phoenix PD discovered the barrel containing Lee Rice’s body in a room connected to Alfredo Gutierrez. Authorities have charged Gutierrez with second-degree murder.

PHOENIX — Nearly four years after Lee Rice’s brutal murder, Alfredo Gutierrez is standing trial. In October 2020, Rice’s body, bearing blunt force wounds and bound by zip ties, was found inside a blue barrel in a room where Gutierrez had been residing.

The trial has kicked off with both sides offering starkly different narratives. The prosecution contends that Gutierrez murdered Rice after an altercation about Rice entering Gutierrez’s room at a property owned by his brother. A witness named Chuy allegedly saw the aftermath and reported it to Phoenix PD.

The defense, on the other hand, insists that Chuy is the actual perpetrator. They claim Gutierrez simply came home to find the crime scene and felt coerced into helping Chuy cover it up out of fear.

More than 100 crime scene photos were presented to the jury. The prosecution called in Phoenix PD homicide detectives to testify and displayed body camera footage of Gutierrez’s initial interaction with officers, who were denied entry without a warrant. Upon obtaining a search warrant, police discovered extensive blood evidence throughout the house, including receipts for cleaning supplies and zip ties matching those on Rice’s body.

The defense criticized the police investigation, saying it failed to procure surveillance footage showing Gutierrez and Rice together on the day of the murder. They also questioned Chuy’s credibility, urging the jury to acquit Gutierrez.

This marks the third time Gutierrez has faced charges for Rice’s murder. Earlier attempts to prosecute were dropped due to Chuy’s deportation and subsequent disappearance. The case was refiled in February after Gutierrez’s arrest at the Douglas Port of Entry, and Chuy is now expected to testify.