SAN JOSE, Calif. (CN) — A California superior court judge refused to recuse himself for a high-profile retrial Friday, after a rare public hearing where he read his order and explained why he decided to strike the defendant’s statement of disqualification.
Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Brian Buckelew spent about 45 minutes explaining why he denied convicted murderer Antolin Garcia-Torres’ statement of his disqualification from further proceedings.
“I am not biased or prejudice in favor of or against Antolin Garcia-Torres,” said Buckelew. “I know of no reason that I can’t be fair and impartial.”…