The family of a man accused of stabbing his aunt says the jury isn’t getting the whole story

SUN LAKES, AZ (AZFamily) — The first-degree murder trial began this week for a man accused of stabbing his aunt to death in his East Valley home in 2019, when he was just 14 years old.

Ares Adle was charged as an adult and faces life in prison.

In an exclusive interview, his mother and stepfather revealed why they are upset about the inadmissible evidence in this trial as both have taken the stand.

In February 2019, Latrice Ciricillo unexpectedly lost her sister Tonya Harper, who ran to her room after being stabbed in the neck.

Tonya’s last words before her death were, “I think it was Ares.”

Latrice, who took the stand this week, finds herself in an incredibly rare and difficult position.

“There are so many people who are just so upset and I understand. I get it, Ares gets it, because we feel it here too. We miss her,” Latrice said.

As the defendant’s mother, suspect and victim’s sister, Latrice is stuck in the middle.

“Of course I should hate the person who did this to my sister. But I am also a mother and I have to make sure my child is taken care of,” she said.

Latrice assumes her son did not commit any ill intent and said that they are now in court and that a possible first-degree murder conviction is at stake – and that she is concerned about a worst-case scenario for her family would go out.

“That Ares is serving a life sentence because he had a nervous breakdown at age 14 that we didn’t know about before,” Latrice said.

After the incident, Latrice claims Ares was diagnosed with mental illness. She said he had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which Latrice described as a “more intense” version of schizophrenia.

She believes that her son could not understand what was reality and what was illusion.

However, the judge ruled that Ares’ defense could not use this strategy. Instead, his defense claims the state cannot prove motive and is arguing for a lesser conviction, such as second-degree murder or manslaughter.

When asked why mental health diagnosis wasn’t part of the process, Lartice said, “They said that because of time constraints it would take too long for us to go through the GEI, which is ‘guilty except insane.'” That she wanted to prevent it.”

Ares’ stepfather, Mike Ciricillo, took the stand earlier this week and said he was struggling with not being able to share more about Ares’ condition.

“You stand up and take an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me, God. The whole truth part is missing,” Mike said.

While the state argues that this was deliberate and suggests that the phone lines were cut before the knife attack, Ares’ parents believe that if anyone would understand what they believe happened, it would be Tonya herself.

“This is a sick child. My sister was the most loving and forgiving person. “If she had survived, she would be sitting next to Ares,” Latrice said.

Arizona’s family asked the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office why mental health was not allowed in this trial. They said since it is an open case, they are unable to comment at this time.

Latrice said she knew her son would be convicted of something and said the family is working on two different appeals after this trial in case he ends up being convicted of first-degree murder.

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