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Judge drops out of child-rape trial
Earlier ruling rejected plea deal in case
Updated: Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 1:11 PM MDT
Published : Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 1:11 PM MDT
- Crystal Gutierrez
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - First he rejected a plea deal for an accused child rapist, and now the judge has dropped another bombshell taking himself off the case entirely.
District Judge Samuel Winder recused himself Friday but didn't say why.
On Wednesday Ralph Maestas was set to plead no-contest to rape and child abuse charges as part of a plea deal that would give him a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
Winder, however, rejected the deal without explanation.
Maestas was set to go to trial in October, but that date will have to be pushed back until a new judge can be assigned to the case.
Maestas now faces a potential life sentence if he's convicted.
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