Judge Joseph N. Camacho
SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho has requested the CNMI Supreme Court to dismiss defendant William Abraczinskas’ motion to recuse Camacho and other Commonwealth judges from presiding over the rape case.
In response to Abraczinskas’ petition for writ of mandamus in the high court, Judge Camacho said the defendant’s motion is “impracticably broad and lacks the necessary and specific legal analysis.”
“The defendant’s motion fails to analyze why Judge Camacho specifically should be recused,” the judge added.
He said the defendant’s basis is that the complaining witness/alleged victim is a “long-time” judiciary employee.
“In fact, Judge Camacho has no close relationship with defendant or the alleged victim. Also, Judge Camacho does not supervise or socialize with defendant or the alleged victim,” the judge said.
“Defendant is seeking a blanket recusal at the mere sound of controversy,” he added.
The CNMI Supreme Court should find that there are no grounds for Judge Camacho to recuse or be disqualified from the case, he said.
Recently, the high court granted Abraczinskas’ motion to stay trial proceedings in his case.
Abraczinskas, 34, a former law clerk of Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, has been charged with sexual assault in the first degree, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace. He has pleaded not guilty.
Abraczinskas, through Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig, has asked the high court for a stay pending the court’s disposition on the defendant’s petition for a writ of mandamus and prohibition to order the Superior Court to disqualify all its judges from the case and to appoint a judge pro tempore.
After the high court granted the defendant’s motion, Judge Camacho vacated the deadlines for the defendant’s motion to stay proceedings, and the CNMI judiciary’s motion to quash subpoena and for a protective order, or in the alternative, modify subpoena.
Judge Camacho also vacated the motion hearing and pretrial conference set for Aug.25, and the jury trial scheduled for Oct. 16.
Hartig earlier asked Judge Camacho to recuse himself due to the “appearance of impropriety.”
The judge denied the request.
