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Utah couple booked in slayings of two Northern California deputies

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A Utah man accused of carrying out a one-man crime rampage that left two Northern California sheriff’s deputies dead was booked on charges of murder, attempted murder and carjacking early Saturday morning.

The man’s wife, who allegedly accompanied him for much of Friday’s six-hour binge, was booked on attempted murder and carjacking charges and both were being held without bail in the Sacramento County jail.

Marcelo Marquez, 34, of the Salt Lake City suburb of West Valley, is accused in the deaths of Sacramento County sheriff’s Deputy Danny Oliver and Placer County sheriff’s Det. Michael David Davis Jr. Authorities have said that Marquez used an AR-15 type assault rifle to kill the officers and wound another deputy and a civilian.

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His wife, Janelle Monroy, 38, was carrying a pistol in her purse but is not believed to have fired the weapon, authorities said Friday.

A man who identified himself as Marquez’s brother told a Sacramento TV station that earlier in the week Marquez pulled a gun on him and demanded money. Hector Monroy told KXTV-TV that his brother was high on drugs and had a bag of weapons.

“He said he was in trouble,” Hector Monroy told the station. “He told me not to ask any questions and just give him money.”

Sgt. Lisa Bowman of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department said Saturday that neither Marquez nor Janelle Monroy had an arrest record in the area. The investigation is ongoing.

Friday’s assaults began when Oliver went to the parking lot of a Motel 6 to check on a suspicious vehicle. Sheriff’s officials said Marquez fired the rifle from the car, striking Oliver, a 47-year-old father of two, in the forehead.

Marquez and Monroy fled and tried to carjack a driver about a mile away, authorities said. The man, identified as Anthony Holmes, refused to turn over his keys and Marquez allegedly shot him in the head. The couple eventually drove in yet another car to Auburn in Placer County, where they were confronted by Davis and another deputy, Jeff Davis. Authorities said Marquez shot both men. Jeff Davis was wounded in the arm and Michael Davis, 42, later died.

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Marquez ran from the scene and was later arrested in a residence, authorities said.

It was not immediately clear whether Marquez and Monroy had attorneys. Both are due in court Tuesday.

A large contingent of law enfocement and fire officials were expected in Sacramento on Saturday afternoon to escort Davis’ body from the coroner’s office to a Placer County funeral home.

For legal news, follow @latimesharriet

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