Previous Story
Counsel for Rota cop facing violence charges relieved
The Office of the Public Defender was relieved on Monday as court-appointed counsel for Rota police officer George A. Barcinas, who is facing domestic violence charges.
This developed as attorney Joaquin DLG Torres entered on Monday afternoon his appearance as Barcinas’ counsel of record.
Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig appeared as then-counsel for Barcinas. Assistant attorney general Shannon Foley appeared for the government.
With the hiring of Torres as new counsel for Barcinas, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho vacated the bench trial of Barcinas currently set for Oct. 7 at the Rota Superior Court.
Camacho reset the bench trial to Dec. 19, 2016, at the Rota Superior Court.
Camacho, however, ordered the parties to appear at the Rota Superior Court on Friday at 8:30am for a hearing on Barcinas’ motion to suppress statement.
The Office of the Attorney General alleged that on June 5, 2015, on Rota, Barcinas pinned his wife to the ground and placed her in a headlock. He allegedly grabbed his wife’s keys from her car’s ignition against her will, preventing her from leaving his property.
Barcinas also allegedly used physical force to struggle with and prevent the victim from calling law enforcement after she informed him of her intention to do so.
The government charged the 35-year-old Barcinas with assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and interfering with a domestic violence report.
