By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
SUPERIOR Court Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio has denied Brandon Russell Camacho’s request to be found legally eligible for the Commonwealth’s Mental Health Court Program.
In a seven-page order issued Monday, Judge Kim-Tenorio ruled that the court lacks authority to compel the Office of the Attorney General to enter plea negotiations, and that the prosecution’s decision to deny Camacho’s eligibility was neither arbitrary nor capricious.
On Aug. 21, 2025, the OAG determined that Camacho did not meet the legal criteria for the program and denied his entry.
Camacho, 40, represented by attorney Charity Hodson, filed a motion on Sept. 8 seeking a court order to declare him legally eligible. He argued that the OAG abused its discretion by citing grounds not listed in the Mental Health Court Docket Policies and Procedures.
In her ruling, Judge Kim-Tenorio acknowledged Camacho’s argument that a finding of legal eligibility would not obligate the OAG to enter a plea agreement. He proposed that the court allow him to proceed to the next steps of screening and clinical evaluation.
However, the judge found the argument unpersuasive. “Under the [Mental Health Court] framework, the OAG’s determination of legal eligibility inherently signals its willingness to proceed with a plea agreement,” she wrote.
“There is no provision allowing the prosecution to defer that decision to a later procedural stage. Additionally, to require clinical screening in the face of prosecutorial refusal would be a waste of judicial resources, as the defendant would remain legally barred from proceeding. The Court will not mandate a futile process,” she added.
Camacho also proposed seeking off-island treatment to mitigate his criminogenic risk. The court rejected the idea, stating it lacked jurisdiction to supervise treatment outside the CNMI.
“If the defendant were to relocate off island, the court would lack jurisdiction to supervise him. The court does not hold authority to compel treatment in another jurisdiction or to retain jurisdiction outside its territorial reach. Therefore, this proposed alternative is neither legally nor practically feasible,” Judge Kim-Tenorio wrote.
Camacho, a U.S. Army veteran, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery. He surrendered to the Department of Public Safety on Aug. 8 after an arrest warrant was issued.
The charges stemmed from an Aug. 6 incident at Welcome Market in San Roque, where a video showed a man in a green shirt and dark hat striking a shirtless man with a bat. DPS identified the assailant as Camacho.
According to investigators, the shirtless man encountered his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend inside the store. Camacho allegedly confronted him at the entrance and demanded an apology. The victim said he was confused by the demand, having said nothing to provoke the confrontation.
The altercation continued outside, where Camacho allegedly pushed the victim with the bat and struck him in the head, shoulder, and arm. The victim attempted to defend himself during the attack.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.