Warning Disclaimed in Bolles Case

A former governor denied Wednesday that he warned a co-worker that newsman Don Bolles should back off from reporting about a businessman who allegedly ordered Bolles’ slaying.

Former Gov. Raul Castro was called as a prosecution witness in the murder retrial of Max Dunlap, 63, one of two men accused in the 1976 car-bomb slaying of the Arizona Republic reporter.

Castro denied delivering the warning to then-columnist Bernie Wynn that Bolles should stay away from reporting about liquor magnate Kemper Marley.

“We believe that Kemper Marley was ultimately behind this killing,” prosecutor Fred Newton said.

Also testifying was a former employee of the hotel where the bombing took place. Margaret Steward said she chatted with Bolles at the pool, then went to his aid when a bomb exploded beneath his car.

Dunlap is on trial in Maricopa County Superior Court on charges of first-degree murder. The prosecution alleges that he paid $7,800 to have Bolles killed because his reporting had embarrassed Marley, a longtime friend and business associate.

Some of Bolles’ stories led to Marley’s resignation from the state Racing Commission before Bolles was killed. Marley, who died of cancer in 1990, was never charged and denied wrongdoing.