Prosecutors to seek death penalty in Bella Vista case

BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for the Bella Vista couple charged with the murder of their 6-year-old son.

Mauricio Alejandro Torres, 45, and Cathy Lynn Torres, 43, appeared in court Monday morning for their arraignments before Circuit Judge Brad Karren.

The couple is each charged with capital murder, punishable by life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty, and first-degree battery, a Class B felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years.

They pleaded innocent to the charges during their arraignments.

Nathan Smith, Benton County prosecuting attorney, said he plans to seek the death penalty in the case.

Maurice Isaiah Torres, 6, was taken to a 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.

The Torreses were arrested in connection with rape April 6, but prosecutors did not include the rape offense in the charging documents. Smith said the rape occurred in Missouri, not in Benton County.

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