CLINTON COUNTY — The defense for a 29-year-old Breese man facing four counts of first-degree murder has requested a translator for his client who is held in the Clinton County Jail.

Public Defender Stewart Freeman filed the motion Wednesday requesting the translator for his client Valentin Nau Navarro-Lopez who is accused of the November murder of Marcos Chavez Xiloj, by striking him in the head. Chavez-Xiloj’s body was discovered near Carlyle Lake the day after Navarro-Lopez was taken into custody in connection with his disappearance.

Navarro-Lopez was initially charged with felony kidnapping and unlawful restraint, along with four counts of first-degree murder. The state later agreed to dismiss the kidnapping and unlawful restraint charges and pursue the four murder charges.

Clinton County State’s Attorney J.D. Brandmeyer alleges the murder was accompanied by exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty, for which, if found guilty, Navarro-Lopez would be eligible for a sentence of natural life in prison. The remaining two First-Degree Murder counts carry a sentence ranging between 20 to 60 years in prison.

Bond in the case remains set at $2 million. The next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for February 6.