Attorney for accused ‘Manhattan Heights Rapist’ asks judge for more time
The accused ‘Manhattan Heights Rapist’, Arturo Valtierra, appeared in the 243rd District Court Tuesday morning with his new defense team, but an immediate trial date was not set.
Valtierra is accused of violently assaulting three women and attacking a couple in the Manhattan Heights neighborhood in Central El Paso.
“I don’t know for sure but I’m anticipating they’ll (prosecutors) be asking for a life sentence and we will not accept a life sentence,” said Patrick Lara, Valtierra’s new attorney.
Tuesday morning, Lara requested more time to prepare for trial. He mentioned he has been on the case less than two months and needs additional time to gather more information.
In November of last year, Lara was appointed to represent Valtierra by Judge Luis Aguilar after he decided one of Valtierra’s lawyers was not ready and had not been prepared during previous hearings.
That left attorney Jaime Gandara, who was originally appointed by the judge, Lara and Linda Estrada to represent Valtierra, but Tuesday morning Gandara requested to be allowed to step down from the case.
Judge Aguilar granted the motion and in front of the courtroom Valtierra signed the agreement.
Patrick Lara told ABC-7 it was a mutual decision between all the defense attorneys.
The judge ordered a status hearing for February 11 at 8 a.m., where a trial date will be discussed and possibly set.
Prosecutor Patricia Diaz told the courtroom the state is ready to proceed with the trial.
Valtierra is also linked to two rape cases in Fort Worth.
Tarrant County prosecutors said Valtierra’s DNA matches the unsolved cases. They were on conference call through the entire hearing Tuesday morning and are also ready for trial.
Valtierra is expected to be tried for those charges in El Paso.
Patrick Lara said he will be meeting with the Tarrant County prosecutors before the February 11 status hearing.
At one point, Judge Aguilar asked if there would be possible negotiations between the state and the defense, both said no and agreed they are going to trial.
