Police in Tempe arrested two men that are tied into the murder of 21 year old ASU student Zachary Marco over the course of the past two teeks. Today, police announced that a third man has been arrested.

At around 9:30 p.m. on October 17 while he was walking home, Marco was approached by a number of men who attempted to steal his valuables. While defending himself, he was shot and killed at the scene. The men got away with a laptop and a cell phone.

Two weeks ago, Louis Harper, 20, was arrested on unrelated charges but was later tied to the murder. Marion Patterson, 17, was nabbed Monday night in Tempe after taking police on a short-lived foot chase. Harper has been labeled as the shooter by police, while Patterson was an accomplice looking for someone to rob. The third name has not been released as of yet.

The men were linked to the crime by text messages they sent from the victim’s phone bragging about their robbery. Fingerprints of the two criminals were matched with Marco’s computer bag, which was found in an undisclosed location. Both men are habitual criminals and not very shockingly have a history of being in gangs.

Marco had a promising future ahead of him as a political science major. He was planning on going into the family business of law and was among 50 applicants to be an intern with the U.S. Senate.

Both Harper and Patterson face charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery.

The victim’s father, Daniel, stirred up minor controversy when he offered those responsible for his son’s murder the best legal defense team possible – if they came forward themselves. He has since retracted the offer.

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Baby Gabriel Still Missing in Winding Case

Lawyers representing person of interest Tammi Smith in the missing baby Gabriel case are no longer representing the woman, according to court documents that state she can’t afford their services. They suggested that Smith should be provided a court-appointed attorney.

The case, which has been ongoing since December of 2009,  states that Elizabeth Johnson ran away with baby Gabriel to San Antonio during a custody battle with her husband. The 24 year old mother from Tempe was charged with kidnapping, felony child abuse, custodial interference and conspiracy to commit custodial interference. She is currently in a Maricopa County jail.

Attempted Adopting of Gabriel

Smith comes into the picture with charges of forgery, custodial interference and conspiracy to commit custodial interference as well. Apparently, Smith and her husband were trying to adopt Gabriel from Johnson during the investigation. However, Johnson told her embattled boyfriend, Gabriel’s father, that she killed Gabriel and stuck his body in a diaper bag via text message on December 27. Interestingly enough, she told FBI agents when she was arrested December 30 that she gave the baby away to a couple of strangers in San Antonio.

Police believe Smith was making a plan to pick the baby up somewhere in Tennessee, where she once held a colon cleansing business. Simply put, she was trying to force a deal to adopt the baby while no one but Johnson knew where he was.The baby’s father refused to sign any paperwork to give the baby up.

Johnson isn’t telling  authorities where the baby is or whether or not he is alive. Gabriel was last seen December 26.

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