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Judge Boyd recalls Luis Martinez for discovery, places him in mental-health initiative; defense requests bilingual second chair
Summary
At a discovery hearing, the court recalled Luis Martinez to April 17, directed completion of discovery, and placed him in a mental-health initiative; defense asked the court to appoint Monica Guerrero as second chair if the case proceeds to trial.
The 187th District Court recalled Luis Martinez’s case for further discovery and set a hearing for April 17, after defense counsel raised issues with the state’s electronic discovery and asserted many witness statements and reports were in Spanish.
The court heard that video evidence in electronic discovery contained materials from different cases and that nearly all witness statements were in Spanish. Defense counsel reported discussions with Monica Guerrero, a Spanish‑fluent attorney, and requested that, should the case go to trial, Ms. Guerrero be appointed as second chair. The court instructed that on the April 17 reset all discovery must be completed and the state must be prepared to tender an offer.
Probation and defense also discussed mental-health evaluation results. The court ordered enrollment in a mental-health initiative and directed Martinez to continue treatment with Center for Health Care Services as previously mandated. The judge emphasized that if Martinez cannot attend appointments due to hospitalization, he must provide documentation to probation. The court also advised counsel to address any Padilla/immigration concerns in advance of trial or plea negotiations.
The judge explained that, given the predominance of Spanish-language materials, Martinez may require bilingual legal support at trial; the court preliminarily agreed to consider Ms. Guerrero for second-chair assistance if appointed and the parties confirmed she would accept the role.
