Moses Buekis, 38, is escorted by a Corrections officer at the courthouse Wednesday morning.
SAYING that the defendant’s rights were violated when he was not brought to the court after formally being charged with domestic violence within 24 hours, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho released Moses Buekis from the custody of the Department of Corrections on his own personal recognizance.
Buekis was arrested on Dec. 21, 2023, and was formally charged with domestic violence, disturbing the peace, and assault & battery on Dec. 22, 2023. The cash bail amount was set at $3,000.
It was Assistant Public Defender Carrie Comstock, who represented Buekis at the bail hearing on Wednesday, who informed the judge that her client was not brought to court after being formally charged within 24 hours.
Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds did not oppose releasing Buekis to his common-law wife, who was the victim in the complaint.
Buekis was also ordered to return to court for an arraignment on Jan. 8, 2024, at 9 a.m.
According to the complaint against Buekis, the victim told the police that she had an argument with her partner that led to a physical altercation.
She told police that prior to the incident, she and Buekis were drinking alcoholic beverages.
She said Buekis got mad about the food she gave him. She said he also wanted to have sex with her, but she refused.
They got into a heated argument during which Buekis punched the left side of her cheek two or three times, she said.
She added that Buekis pushed her onto the bed and wrapped one of his hands around her neck for about four to five seconds while saying “go ahead, call the police.”
She said Buekis also kicked her out of their bed and told her to get out of their bedroom.
When police met with Buekis after the incident, he was quoted as saying, “If you guys want to take me because I punched her, then okay.”
