Jack Upchurch Trial Opens | Tucson News

Tucson News Today | 2 Min Now | The Daily News Now! · Jul 15, 2026 · 1m

The trial of Jack Upchurch has begun — accused of murdering Paul Clifford on Christmas Eve two years ago, after Clifford stopped to help someone stranded and was shot dead. Upchurch was in a stolen truck that broke down in a remote Pima County area, and two teens — Wendy Rogers and Elmer Smith — who were with him, have already pleaded guilty to lesser charges and will testify. With the trial projected to last until July 24th, the courtroom will now weigh the evidence and testimonies surrounding that fateful holiday night, as the fate of a man who tried to help others hangs in the balance…