Torres’ trial date vacated anew

Ralph DLG Torres

The June 5 trial date of former governor Ralph DLG Torres in his pending criminal case at the Superior Court has been vacated again. Instead, a new trial date will be arrived at on June 5.

Following a pre-trial conference for the case last May 8, Superior Court Judge pro tempore Arthur Barcinas issued an order vacating the June 5 trial date, making this the latest instance when Torres’ trial date has been pushed back.

Torres’ trial was initially set for August 2022, but it was later pushed  to sometime after November due to the gubernatorial election.  The trial was later rescheduled to Feb. 13, 2023, but was again rescheduled to June 5.

At the hearing last May 8, the parties involved in the case agreed that there are pending issues that need to be resolved prior to trial, including the Commonwealth government’s objection to the appointment of Barcinas as judge pro tem and Torres’ objection to special prosecutor James Kingman’s ability to serve as counsel moving forward.

The prosecution opposes Barcinas’ appointment because he also currently serves as justice pro tem in the Supreme Court appellate case Ralph DLG Torres v. House Standing Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations in which the former governor is the plaintiff-appellant.

The parties explained that the June 5 trial date was premature, considering the numerous pending issues.

“Upon consideration of the parties’ requests and this court’s own calendar and schedule, the jury trial currently scheduled for June 5 is hereby vacated. The previous trial date of June 5 will instead be used as a scheduling conference for all pending matters and the time at which this court will set a new trial date,” said Barcinas.

In vacating the trial date, Barcinas also released all jurors and witnesses from their obligation to appear at the June 5 trial. “…All potential jurors and witnesses are released from their obligations to appear during the previously scheduled June 5, trial in this matter,” he said.

At the May 8 hearing, Kingman also orally made a motion to file a motion under seal concerning Torres’ counsels. The court allowed Kingman to file a motion under seal regarding his concerns about the case and gave Torres’ counsels leave to file any objection regarding the unsealing of the Commonwealth’s motion.

Torres was represented at the May 8 pre-trial conference by Viola Alepuyo, Anthony H. Aguon, Matthew Holley, and Victorino DLG Torres. The Commonwealth was represented by assistant attorney general Steven Kessell and Kingman.

Also present was Office of the Attorney General Chief Solicitor J. Robert Glass Jr., who was acting as a pro hac attorney for Kingman, and Sean Frink, who represented two of the witnesses subpoenaed for trial.

Barcinas presided over the hearing virtually from Guam.

The OAG filed criminal charges against Torres last April 2022 for alleged theft and misconduct in public office.