In a recent court hearing, Judge Michael Montero recused himself from a court case in which Carlos Torres appeared, facing charges of open murder.
Torres was arrested after a woman was found deceased at the Country Hearth Inn in Winnemucca on the evening of March 27. Torres was originally taken into custody for obstructing an investigation, but later charged with open murder.
Law enforcement later released the name of the alleged victim to be 39-year old Elizabeth Crawford.
In a court hearing on June 5, it was determined by an evaluation by doctors from Lake’s Crossing Center in Reno that Torres was competent to proceed with court hearings.
At a recent arraignment hearing in Sixth Judicial District Court, before the hearing began, Montero started by explaining some of the code of conduct pertaining to judges set forth in the Supreme Court rules of the State of Nevada.
According to the code of conduct, Montero specifically focused on the part pertaining to events that could lead to the questioning of impartiality regarding the judge.
Montero went on to explain that children closely relating to both the alleged victim and defendant are involved in school counseling programs in which his wife is the main care provider.
Montero also mentioned that the alleged victim and defendant were both at some point in the past, participating in the adult drug court program that he supervises.
“The combination of these factors lead me to but one conclusion, that I am going to recuse myself from this case. The court will draft an order setting forth the recusal and arraignment will be continued,” said Montero.
Further court proceedings will be scheduled for a later date when a different judge can oversee the case.
