JUDGE Pro Tempore Alberto E. Tolentino on Wednesday afternoon moved the arraignment for Gov. Ralph DLG Torres to April 25, at 9 a.m., from April 18.
According to an online legal dictionary, an arraignment is the “first step in a criminal proceeding where the defendant is brought in front of the court to hear the charges and enter a plea.”
Attorneys Viola Alepuyo and Anthony Aguon, for their part, have filed an appearance to represent Torres in the criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Attorney General, alleging misconduct in public office, theft and contempt.
The governor is accused of 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 first lady Diann T. Torres.
The case also alleges one count of contempt for the governor’s failure to comply with a House committee subpoena.
After the CNMI Superior Court judges recused themselves, local Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Tuesday appointed Guam Superior Court Judge Alberto E. Tolentino as judge pro tempore in the case.
