Supreme Court asked to rule in Torres’ case

BENTONVILLE — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has asked the state Supreme Court to find the guilty verdicts should remain for Mauricio Torres, which means his punishment would be the only issue for another jury to decide.

Torres, 50, of Bella Vista is charged with capital murder and battery in connection with the beating and killing of his 6-year-old son. Maurice Isaiah Torres died March 30, 2015, at a Bella Vista medical clinic. A medical examiner testified at two trials that the child’s death was caused by a bacterial infection resulting from sodomy and chronic child abuse.

“I will continue to seek justice for 6-year-old Isaiah, who died a brutal and horrific death,” Rutledge said in the petition filed Monday.

Torres has twice been convicted of murder and battery.

He was tried and convicted in 2016 and sentenced to death, but last year the Arkansas

Supreme Court overturned the conviction and ordered Torres be given a new trial.

A second jury convicted Torres last month of the same charges. However, Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren declared a mistrial during the sentencing phase after a witness tried to attack Torres in the courtroom while the jury was present. A Sheriff’s Office deputy and bailiff had to stop the witness from reaching Torres.

Karren ruled Torres should have another trial.

Torres testified at his second trial and admitted to abusing his son, but he said his wife was responsible for most of the abuse.

Cathy Torres, Mauricio Torres’ wife, pleaded guilty in 2016 to capital murder and battery and was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. She testified during Torres’ second trial and blamed her husband for abusing their son.

The judge has scheduled the third trial to begin Aug. 24.

Torres is being held in the Benton County Jail.

Tracy M. Neal can be reached by email at tneal@nwaonline.com or Twitter @NWATracy.

Torres