A man accused of kidnapping and murdering an 11-year-old girl whose death prompted new federal legislation is scheduled to change his plea in court.
Tom Begaye's change of plea hearing is on August 1 in Albuquerque. His attorneys said in court that he was looking to strike a plea deal, but it's unclear what he'll change the plea to. Begaye previously pleaded not guilty.
Begaye is facing murder, sexual abuse and other charges in the case that shocked the nation's largest American Indian reservation and prompted legislation that would expand the Amber Alert system to tribal communities.
Begaye is accused of luring Ashlynne Mike into his van in May 2016. Mike was reported missing but an alert didn't go out until the next day. She was later found in a remote area near the Arizona-New Mexico border.
