On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the San Antonio Express-News reported that District Judge Ron Rangel has been appointed to oversee the trial of three former San Antonio police officers, Eleazar Alejandro, Alfred Flores, and Nathaniel Villalobos, who are charged in the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Melissa Perez. This decision follows the recusal of Judge Stephanie Boyd from the case, a move prompted by defense attorneys who argued she exhibited bias against the officers.
Judge Boyd had presided over the case since the officers’ arrest in June 2023. Her removal came after the defense successfully petitioned for her recusal, citing a prior complaint filed against her by one of the defendants. The complaint, lodged by Jason Goss, the lead attorney for Villalobos, alleged that Boyd’s YouTube channel, which broadcasts daily court proceedings, violated judicial conduct standards. Goss testified that since filing the complaint, Boyd had exhibited unprofessional behavior, describing her as “cold” and “insulting” during court proceedings.
During a recent hearing, Goss expressed concerns about Boyd’s treatment of him compared to other attorneys, claiming she made gestures indicating he should stop speaking and displayed visible anger towards him. These claims were pivotal in the defense’s argument for her recusal. Judge Sid Harle, who oversees the 4th Administrative Judicial Region in South Texas, ultimately agreed with the defense, stating it would not be fair or efficient for the trial to continue under Boyd’s supervision given the circumstances.
Following Boyd’s recusal, Judge Harle assigned Rangel to the case. The next steps will involve establishing a new schedule for the trial, including deadlines for evidence submission and potential trial dates. The three officers are facing serious charges related to the shooting of Melissa Perez, who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.
On June 23, 2023, police were called to Perez’s apartment after a neighbor reported that she had cut the wires to the fire alarm system. Initial interactions with the officers were cooperative, but upon being asked to accompany them to their patrol car, Perez became upset and retreated into her home, locking the door behind her. Subsequent events led to the officers firing into her apartment when she allegedly approached a patio door while wielding a hammer.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus has stated that Perez did not pose a threat to the officers during the encounter, as she was behind a locked glass door. Following a review of the incident by detectives and the district attorney’s office, the three officers were arrested on murder charges. This marked a significant moment in San Antonio’s law enforcement history, as it was the first time in decades that on-duty officers faced murder charges related to a shooting.
Source: San Antonio Express-News
