JUDGE Pro Tempore Arthur Barcinas has yet to issue a trial date in the misconduct in public office case against former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres pertaining to first-class travel.
Judge Barcinas said he wanted to have a clear understanding of the parties’ anticipation of what the trial schedule would look like.
At a virtual hearing on Friday, the judge likewise granted the request of special prosecutor James Robert Kingman to withdraw the 38 additional charges he had wanted the court to allow against Torres, to include the initially charged Count XIV: Contempt, and Counts XV-LI, alleging Misconduct in Public Office, and Perjury pertaining to first-class travel, among others.
Judge Barcinas also wanted input from the parties regarding the possible dates for the hearings on the following pending motions:
The request of the defense to reconsider and clarify the court’s previous decision denying the defense motion to dismiss Counts I to XII for failure to allege “mens rea”; the defense’s request to disqualify special prosecutor James Robert Kingman and reconsider the court’s previous order denying the motion for the Office of the Attorney General to withdraw or be disqualified as prosecutor.
Judge Barcinas at the same time directed the parties to submit a memorandum of “position statement” regarding the trial schedule by the end of this week.
He said he could schedule the motion hearings for the last week of September.
Kingman appeared virtually for the government while Assistant Attorney General Steven Kessell was present in the courtroom.
For the defense, attorneys Viola Alepuyo and Anthony Aguon appeared virtually.
On April 8, 2022, the Office of the Attorney General filed a criminal case against the former governor, alleging 12 counts of misconduct in public office and one count of theft relating to the issuance of airline tickets for business class, first class, or other premium class travel for himself and/or Diann T. Torres, his wife.
The case also alleged one count of contempt for failure to appear in compliance with a legislative subpoena.
The former governor has denied the charges.
