BENTONVILLE -- A hearing is set for next month in the case of a Bella Vista man accused of killing his son.
Mauricio Alejandro Torres, 46, and his wife, Cathy Torres, 44, are each charged with capital murder and first-degree battery. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for both. Prosecutors will try Mauricio Torres first. A trial date hasn't been set for Cathy Torres.
They have pleaded not guilty and are being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.
Circuit Judge Brad Karren scheduled a motions hearing for 2:30 p.m. June 13 during a Wednesday conference call with prosecutors and Mauricio Torres's defense team. Torres' attorneys told Karren they soon will file motions, but they didn't discuss specifics.
Jury selection was to begin today, but the defense requested additional time to prepare, and Karren reset the trial to start Aug. 22.
Maurice Isaiah Torres, 6, was pronounced dead at an area hospital March 29, 2015. A medical examiner later determined the boy suffered from chronic child abuse, and his death was from internal injuries caused by rape.
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, said Nathan Smith, prosecuting attorney.
Mauricio Torres and Cathy Torres could each be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty if convicted of capital murder. They face from five to 20 years if convicted of first-degree battery.
NW News on 05/06/2016