Jury hears opening statements in Anthony Cobos trial

ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom was in the courtroom on Monday for the opening statements in the trial of former El Paso county judge Anthony Cobos.

Cobos is accused of defrauding a Chaparral couple who were making mortgage payments to a home. He’s facing one count of fraud of over $20,000.

While the prosecution claims Cobos knowingly took money from the couple, the defense argues there’s evidence that shows they agreed to take over the mortgage.

Prosecutor Jose Arguello described how Cobos had taken the american dream away from the couple he allegedly defrauded.

“The defendant didn’t do what he was supposed to and put that money that was given to him towards the mortgage payments,” Arguello said.

But defense attorney Josh Boone painted a different picture, claiming the couple failed to follow a contract.

“A simple contract. Did somebody honor the contract that they signed? And in this particular case, no, they did not honor the contracts that they singed with Anthony.” Boone said.

Cobos was already serving a four-year sentence for accepting a bribe when he was El Paso’s county judge. He could face an additional 9 years in prison if convicted of this charge.

The trial resumes Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.