Today Justice Court Judge, Ben Trotter, reset bail for Ofelia Murillo at the original amount of one million dollars.
Last week during Murillo's arraignment, Judge Trotter reduced bail from one million dollars to $500,000. Murillo is facing a charge of first-degree murder. She is also facing several other charges related to the alleged shooting death of her ex-husband Caesar Alvarado-Jauregui on September 25th.
On Wednesday, November 18th, a written motion was received by Judge Trotter from the District Attorney's Office asking the court to reconsider no bail for Murillo or to set bail over a million dollars. Trotter reported that prior to receipt of the motion, he had been reviewing the matter and planned to readdress bail when the subject next arose in court. However, bail was not approached by the DA or Murillo during the following two status hearings.
While reconsidering bail, Trotter examined several factors. “I looked at it from the perspective that anyone charged with murder is likely a significant flight risk despite the other mitigating factors," Trotter stated, "like her ties to the community and lack of criminal history.” He further explained that he had to consider the possibility that Murillo, who fled to Mexico the day after the murder, came back to the area to sell her property(s) and essentially “cash-out” and flee again to Mexico. Although it is allowable for judges in Nevada to hold defendants without bail when charged with first-degree murder, Trotter elected to reset bail at one million dollars.
A status hearing is set for Thursday, November 19th in Justice Court.
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