Suspect in child’s death will remain in jail until trial
Defendant in Renezmae case deemed to be a flight risk
Malcolm Torres, the man charged with second-degree murder in the death of 5-year-old Renezmae Calzada, will remain locked up until his trial.
At an arraignment in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque Tuesday morning, Torres pleaded not guilty.
He also waived his rights to a detention hearing, prompting the judge to determine he should be kept in jail based on his criminal history, the charge he faces, a history of alcohol or substance abuse and the lengthy period of incarceration he faces if convicted.
“I find that you are both a danger to the community and a flight risk,” Magistrate Judge Kirtan Khalsa said.
Torres is Renezmae’s mother’s exboyfriend. She had filed court documents alleging he had been abusive during their 4-year relationship.
Renezmae’s family attended the hearing. They declined to talk with reporters.
Torres’ defense attorney, Doug Couleur,
also declined to comment.
No details about the case — including how Renezmae was killed or the circumstances leading up to her disappearance and death — were revealed at Tuesday’s hearing.
The FBI announced the arrest of Torres, of Española, late Sunday.
Renezmae was last seen alive the morning of Sept. 8 and reported missing by her mother that evening. Torres had reportedly told Renezmae’s mother he had not seen the girl since 9:30 that morning and he had thought she was with her family.
Renezmae’s body was found three days later in the Rio Grande near Santa Clara Pueblo in Rio Arriba County.