Controversial Parole: Man Who Lit Cigar After Wife’s Killing Nears Potential Release, DA Warns

An Arizona man accused of fatally shooting his wife four times and then lighting a celebratory cigar while standing over her body could potentially be released from custody if a judge decides to lower his bond. His brother-in-law has issued a warning about the possible danger of this scenario.

Aaron Cooley, the brother of the victim, Heather Marin, expressed his concerns, saying, “He’s a danger to my family, me… maybe the rest of the family, neighbors, people who have seen what he did.” Heather was allegedly murdered by her husband, Robert Marin, at their Phoenix residence in March.

Currently, Robert Marin’s bond is set at a steep $2 million cash. However, Cooley cautioned that if the court reduces it to a secured bond, even at the same amount, Marin might still be able to secure his release. “If all he has to come up with is $200,000, he’s out,” Cooley told AZFamily.

According to police and prosecutors, Heather Marin was estranged from her husband and had an argument with the 60-year-old regarding their daughter’s stay with him, which preceded the tragic incident.

Documents from a probable cause affidavit, as reported by Law&Crime, reveal that Marin’s teenage daughter recounted a verbal altercation earlier that evening. During this confrontation, Robert Marin allegedly expressed animosity towards the victim, from whom he was separated and in the process of divorcing. The daughter reportedly challenged her father about the separation, adding to the evening’s tension.

Following a court hearing on Wednesday, Cooley shared with AZFamily that Heather had spoken to their daughter on the phone, prompting concerns that led her to believe she needed to intervene. Heather Marin then drove to the house that night, where she was tragically killed in front of her daughter, according to police accounts.

“[Robert Marin] went in the garage, lit a cigar, sat down and smoked a cigar while he watched his 17-year-old daughter perform CPR on her dying mother,” Cooley alleged.

“Why would you do this?!” the couple’s daughter yelled at her father after coming across the ghastly scene, according to the affidavit. Robert Marin allegedly responded by “shrugging his shoulders.”

Police believe the murder happened around 9:30 p.m. and was premeditated due to Robert Marin’s “indifference after the shooting, electing to smoke a cigar rather than render aid,” according to the affidavit, along with a number of other factors — including Heather Marin allegedly “pleading for her life before being shot multiple times.”

When cops arrived at the home, they found Robert Marin inside the garage “with blood on his clothing and shoes,” according to the affidavit. A firearm, holster, and spent casings were discovered in the garage.

“When deputies contacted the suspect, he dropped to his knees upon their arrival and was detained without making any statements,” the affidavit states. “Deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from Marin during transport to a MCSO [Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office] facility for questioning and processing.”

The daughter told cops about a prior “unreported domestic violence incident” from early February, during which Robert Marin held a firearm in his hand and threatened to shoot Heather Marin in the head before killing himself, according to the affidavit. She also described receiving screenshots of text message exchanges between her parents containing “hateful and threatening language,” police say.

“[The daughter] confirmed that Marin was an avid gun owner with multiple unsecured firearms stored throughout the residence to include pistols and hunting rifles,” the affidavit alleges. “She also described a large safe in a closet within the house which also stored firearms and ammunition.”

Robert Marin is facing a charge of first-degree murder. He’s being held in the Maricopa County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for his requested bond hearing.