Judge in Wal-Mart Shooter Case Steps Down

Judge Angie Juarez Barill was assigned to the case of the El Paso Wal-Mart shooter, but due to a conflict she will not be presiding over the case.

Judge Barill released a statement on Wednesday that said she knew one of the victims of the August 3rd shooting, and because of this conflict she would not be overseeing the case. Barill did not specify which of the victims she knew.

Another reason for Judge Barill to step down has to do with the expected length of the trial. Barill said:

I am a candidate for Chief Justice for the 8th Court of Appeals, therefore, I will not stand for re-election to the 346th State District Court at the end of my term in December 2020. A case of this magnitude should begin with a Judge who can be reasonably sure to see it through to its conclusion.

Barill was selected for the case last week and the executive director of the judges' council said that Barill's replacement would be chosen soon.