Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Defense could move to delay trial in capital murder case
BENTONVILLE — Defense attorneys for a man accused of killing his young son may seek to delay his jury trial.
Mauricio Alejandro Torres, 45, and Cathy Torres, 44, of Bella Vista are charged with capital murder and first- degree battery in the death of their son. They previously pleaded not guilty and are being held without bond in the Benton County jail.
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the two.
Maurice Isaiah Torres, 6, was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead March 29. A medical examiner later determined the boy suffered from chronic child abuse, and his death was from internal injuries caused by being raped, according to court documents.
Mauricio Torres appeared in court Friday afternoon for a hearing in his case. His jury
trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 12.
Terri Chambers, one of his attorneys, told Circuit Judge Brad Karren she may file a motion to reschedule the trial. Members of the defense team will have to travel to at least two states and another country for case work, Chambers said.
Karren asked Chambers to file a written motion for the court. He then set the next hearing for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 16.
The Torreses also were arrested in connection with rape, but prosecutors didn’t include that offense in the charging documents. The rape occurred in Missouri, not in Benton County, according to Smith.
Cathy Torres’ jury trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 26.
They each could be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty if convicted of capital murder. The battery charge is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years.