After six days of trial battling charges of contempt, prominent defense attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds can breathe a sigh of relief. Visiting Judge Juanita Vasquez-Gardner, a jurist in Bexar County, on Saturday decided that the two attorneys will not have to pay any fines and will not face any jail time after finding… Read More Defense Attorneys Live to Fight Another Day
El Paso defense attorneys Stuart Leeds and Theresa Caballero were in the process of delivering their closing statements in their contempt trial Saturday morning when the prosecution asked for a brief break. The prosecutor, Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza, is expected to begin his closing argument following the conclusion of attorney Caballero’s summation after… Read More Closing Arguments in Contempt Trial Ongoing
It was revealed today that Visiting Judge Steve Smith, of College Station, was threatened through an email not to come to El Paso. Judge Smith, who filed the original charges, testified Friday in El Paso in the contempt trial of prominent El Paso attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds. The two attorneys have been accused… Read More Judge in Contempt Trial Threatened
The judge accusing two El Paso defense attorneys of contempt on Friday took on about seven hours of withering questioning from one of the defendants, often side stepping or providing alternate answers. Judge Steve Smith, of College Station, testified that prominent El Paso attorneys Stuart Leeds and Theresa Caballero allegedly brought disrespect to the judiciary… Read More Contempt Trial More Than Its Parts
Judge Steve Smith, of College Station, testified Friday that attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds were the ones who were racist and disrespectful during the trial of Judge Regina Arditti, who was found not guilty. Judge Smith testified that emails Leeds and Caballero sent him were, first, improper and, second, contemptuous. “They brought disrespect to… Read More Judge Smith Testifies Attorneys Disrespectful, Biased
Attorneys and prosecutors in a contempt trial that could set the stage for how litigators practice on Friday clashed as they waited for the complaint originator to arrive. District Attorney Henry Garza, of Bell County, announced that Judge Steve Smith, a visiting judge from the College Station area, was expected to arrive at the El… Read More Fireworks Erupt as Judge Set to Testify
The prosecutor in the contempt trial of two, prominent El Paso defense attorneys announced today that Judge Steve Smith will testify as a rebuttal witness in the proceedings he initiated. Visiting Judge Smith, of the College Station area, filed the contempt complaint against attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds alleging they were confrontational, disrespectful and… Read More Judge Will Testify as Witnesses Continue to Give Evidence
Witnesses in the contempt trial of El Paso defense attorneys Stuart Leeds and Theresa Caballero Thursday slammed the media, specifically the El Paso Times, alleging the newspaper regularly vilifies the attorneys tainting their reputation in the community. “It was a concerted effort by the Times. They painted me and Ms. Caballero as criminals. If they… Read More Witnesses Take Media to Task
District Attorney Henry Garza, of Bell County, announced Thursday that he is calling to the witness stand Judge Steve Smith, a visiting judge who filed the contempt charges against El Paso defense attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds. Judge Smith accused Leeds and Caballero of contempt, saying they were disrespectful to the court and rude… Read More Surprise Rebuttal Prosecution Witness Expected
The outcome in the contempt trial of two prominent El Paso defense attorneys, which continued Wednesday, will scare and stop defense attorneys from doing their jobs, say legal experts. The contempt trial, which has the entire legal community on edge, has become something of a window into the very essence, the business end of what… Read More Contempt Trial Having a Chilling Effect on Legal System
Attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds made a motion to end the contempt trial against them, but were rebuffed by Visiting Judge Juanita Vasquez-Gardner, who is expected to listen to testimony from the majority of the more than 80 defense witnesses. Attorney Leeds told the judge that District Attorney Henry Garza, of Bell County, had… Read More No Evidence But No End
Judge Steve Smith, who has accused two El Paso defense attorneys of contempt, will not testify in the trial and will not be available for cross examination, violating a basic rule of justice of facing your accuser. Attorneys Stuart Leeds and Theresa Caballero are defending themselves and each other against a contempt complaint that has… Read More Secret Records, No Due Process for Attorneys
Two high-profile, El Paso defense attorneys on trial for contempt say they believe they are not receiving a fair and impartial hearing. “You read the record before it was introduced,” a surprised Theresa Caballero asked Visiting Judge Juanita Vasquez-Gardner shortly after the proceedings began Tuesday. “You are the fact finder in this case, and we… Read More Contempt Trial ‘Upside Down,’ Say Attorneys
The judge in the contempt trail of defense attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds quelled a heated exchange Tuesday that pitted the prosecutor and defense attorney Caballero. The confrontation ignited when District Attorney Henry Garza, of Bell County, interrupted Caballero during her questioning of a prosecution witness. The witness, who was a juror on the… Read More Contempt Trial Gets Edgy
Judge Robert Hough, a federal immigration judge, asked his superiors in Washington D.C. for permission to come to El Paso and testify in the contempt trial for his colleague and friend defense attorney Stuart Leeds. Judge Hough, who is scheduling some of his 6,000 cases for 2017, testified that attorney Leeds is tenacious, aggressive and… Read More Busiest Judge in America Testifies
The contempt trial of two, prominent El Paso defense attorneys opened Monday on the same tone as the original case from where it originated – filled with disdain. Attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds are defending themselves against allegations of contempt stemming from the trial of Judge Regina Arditti, who was found not guilty of… Read More Defense Attorneys Face Contempt Allegations
The jury took about four hours Wednesday to find Judge Regina Arditti not guilty on all counts of an indictment alleging she entered into an agreement involving an exchange of courthouse jobs, official abuse and bribery. The trial, which was in its eighth day, involved convicted former Judge Manny Barraza, protected federal witness David Beagas,… Read More Jury Finds Judge Arditti Not Guilty
The jury began deciding the fate of Judge Regina Arditti Wednesday after emotional closing arguments. The jury must deliver a decision that meets the beyond a reasonable doubt requirement.
The final stage in the trial of Judge Regina Arditti began Wednesday with a motion asking for sanctions against a prosecutor. After closing arguments, the jury is expected to decide Judge Arditti’s fate.
Prosecutors rested their case Tuesday against accused Judge Regina Arditti, who has been indicted on allegations she used her position as an elected official to benefit herself, her family and others. Defense attorneys, after returning from a lunch break, promptly rested their case without calling a single witness. The defense has repeatedly turned prosecution witnesses… Read More State, Defense Rest Cases
Defense attorneys on Tuesday made a motion asking the magistrate in the Judge Regina Arditti trial for a direct verdict because the state failed to prove their case. Defense attorney Stuart Leeds argued that the state had not provided any evidence of bribery, abuse of official capacity, and that there was an agreement between Judge… Read More Defense Requests Direct Verdict
Attorney David Beagas was called to the stand Tuesday to again testify in the trial of Judge Regina Arditti. Beagas testified he had personal knowledge of the alleged agreement between the two judges. He said convicted Judge Manny Barraza’s sister revealed the plot at a meeting.
The son of accused Judge Regina Arditti testified Monday that he had no knowledge of an alleged agreement between his mother and another District Court magistrate. Dante Vance, testifying as a prosecution witness, said the state questioned him in 2009 during a grand jury hearing about a possible nepotism violation against his mother. But he… Read More Son Contradicts State’s Allegations
The state introduced more than 25 documents Moday in the trial of Judge Regina Arditti. The paperwork is mainly job applications and job openings the court’s Human Resources Department needs to fulfill its policies. The state appears to be laying the groundwork for Judge Arditti hiring staff improperly.
Judge Regind Arditt’s son Dante Vance testified his mother never helped him get a courthouse job. In fact, he told the jury his mother refused to help him land the job and then asked him to quit when he was hired. Vance will continue testifying in his mother’s trial today.
The magistrate in Judge Regina Arditti’s trial on Saturday withdrew an arrest warrant issued for her son, who was set to testify in the case against his mother for bribery and abuse of official capacity. Dante Vance, 28, was called to the witness stand Friday, but could not be found in the courthouse where he… Read More Son Set to Testify in Mother’s Trial
An arrest warrant was issued Friday for the son of Judge Regina Arditti, who allegedly entered into an illegal plot to get her son a nearly $60,000 a year job at the courthouse. Dante Vance, 28, was called to the witness stand, but court bailiffs could not locate their former colleague. Vance was employed as… Read More Arrest Warrant Issued, Confrontations Continue
The prosecution called accused Judge Regina Arditt’s son to the witness stand Friday but he was not present. Defense attorney Theresa Caballero explain in court that Judge Arditti’s son was asked to appear in court on May 2, but served the document on May 3. The trial of Judge Arditti is on its 4th day.
One of the alleged benefactors of a nefarious scheme, involving newly elected District Court judges, wept openly during questioning Thursday admitting she had no knowledge of bribery, nepotism or any abuse of official capacity. Sally Mena, the sister of convicted former Judge Manny Barraza, is alleged to have been hired by accused Judge Regina Arditti… Read More Courthouse Culture Foul With Gossip, Rumor
Judges are afraid of the District Attorney’s Office, a prosecution witness testified Thursday in the trial of Judge Regina Arditti. That alleged power to intimidate is part of what a defense attorney described as the culture of the courthouse. “It is a cesspool,” she said, adding that gossip runs rampant and often innocent people are… Read More Courthouse Culture
The witness list for the state includes some 128 individuals, including ex-employees who offer testimony about Judge Regina Arditt’s character. The defense describes the witnesses as not relevent and are simply in court to make Judge Arditti look bad.
Witnesses for the prosecution in the Judge Regina Arditti trial stumbled under hard-nosed questioning from the defense, admitting to lying to law enforcement officials and alleging sworn affidavits were incorrect. David Beagas, who testified in federal court against convicted former Judge Manuel Barraza, admitted during questioning Wednesday in the District Courthouse that he lied to… Read More Testimony Dishonest, Riddled with Hearsay
The witness testifying in the Judge Regina Arditti trial admitted that he took an exotic dancer to a hotel for what he described as an interview. He said the woman paid him $200 to help her with a case. That money, he admitted, he split with convicted former Judge Manuel Barraza. Testimony from prosecution witnesses… Read More Exotic Dancer, Lies Color Testimony
The prosecution’s key witness in the Judge Arditti trial has twice admitted he lied to law enforement officers. The witness, who testified in the federal trail against convicted Judge Barraza, continues answering questions under cross examination. The trail is expected to continue until 6:30 p.m. according to the judge handling the trail.
The defense in the Judge Regina Aditti trial almost wasn’t. Following a bitterly contested opening statement from the defense Tuesday morning, prosecutors from the District Attorney’s Office made a motion to have defense attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds removed from the case. Joe Monsivais, assistant district attorney, described the trial thus far as “quickly… Read More Prosecutors Request Defense Removal, Sanctions
The defense in the Judge Regina Arditti trial kept it’s pressure on visiting Judge Steve Smith by renewing their motion to have the judge remove himself. The defense renewed their effort to remove Judge Smith today saying the judge is biased. They say they have never been treated so poorly by a judge before. Judge… Read More Defense Renews Judge Recusal Request
Following a tense round of opening statements, prosecutors in the trail of Judge Regina Arditti asked that the defense team be removed from the case. The reason, they say, is defense attorneys Theresa Caballero and Stuart Leeds have made it impossible through their bad courtroom behavior for a fair trail to be held. Judge Steve… Read More State Requests Removal of Defense Team
It may only be the beginning, but the arguments and strategies are set. Jury selection began today in the Judge Regina Arditti trial, and the actions that took place in the 41st District Courthouse in Downtown El Paso were worthy of a two-hour episode of the television legal drama “Law and Order.” Before the bailiff… Read More Jury Selection Turns Fiery
The Judge Arditti trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 2nd, yet the fireworks have already begun to go off. The defense has filed a motion with the judge hearing the case for him to maintain impartiality, which is like accusing the judge of being bias, or favoring one side. The judge has yet to respond to the motion. Beginning… Read More Trial to set off fireworks, precedents
Author: Theresa Caballero On October 7, 2002, El Paso Commissioners Court held its weekly meeting. One of the items slated for action was consideration of how the county would dispense with some of our tax dollars. Naturally there were several groups and individuals present asking for funds for their particular projects. One of these groups… Read More EPISO: Division of Church and State?
