A US Federal Judge Has Ruled That Immigration Authorities Have Been Detaining an Acquitted Man Without Due Process, Ordering His Release or Bail Hearing.
Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, a Mexican national who entered the United States as a minor over three decades ago, was found not guilty of offering $10,000 for the murder of US Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino in January last year. Despite his acquittal, he has been held by immigration authorities since October 6th.
On Friday, Judge James Hanlon ruled that Espinoza Martinez's detention was unlawful, as he had not undergone a hearing to assess him as a flight risk or danger. The judge handed down a 16-page order, which outlined the circumstances of Espinoza Martinez's case and the lack of due process afforded to him.
According to the court documents, Espinoza Martinez is facing deportation after being acquitted of murder-for-hire charges. However, Judge Hanlon has ordered that his detention be halted until he can have a reasonable conditions release or an opportunity for a bail hearing by 4 pm on Wednesday.
It was reported earlier that Espinoza Martinez was taken into custody shortly after his acquittal and has been held at the Clay County Justice Center in Brazil, Indiana. His lawyer, Michael Adler, argued that his client is a "working man with deep roots" who has never committed any crime and had no reason to be considered a flight risk.
Meanwhile, prosecutors initially claimed Espinoza Martinez was a "high-ranking member of the Latin Kings", but this claim was barred from trial by Judge Joan Lefkow. The case against Espinoza Martinez centered on messages he sent via Snapchat that some interpreted as an offer for Bovino's murder in exchange for $10,000.
The acquittal has raised concerns about due process and immigration policies targeting marginalized communities. Immigration authorities have been accused of prioritizing gang membership over the lack of evidence linking Espinoza Martinez to a crime.
Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, a Mexican national who entered the United States as a minor over three decades ago, was found not guilty of offering $10,000 for the murder of US Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino in January last year. Despite his acquittal, he has been held by immigration authorities since October 6th.
On Friday, Judge James Hanlon ruled that Espinoza Martinez's detention was unlawful, as he had not undergone a hearing to assess him as a flight risk or danger. The judge handed down a 16-page order, which outlined the circumstances of Espinoza Martinez's case and the lack of due process afforded to him.
According to the court documents, Espinoza Martinez is facing deportation after being acquitted of murder-for-hire charges. However, Judge Hanlon has ordered that his detention be halted until he can have a reasonable conditions release or an opportunity for a bail hearing by 4 pm on Wednesday.
It was reported earlier that Espinoza Martinez was taken into custody shortly after his acquittal and has been held at the Clay County Justice Center in Brazil, Indiana. His lawyer, Michael Adler, argued that his client is a "working man with deep roots" who has never committed any crime and had no reason to be considered a flight risk.
Meanwhile, prosecutors initially claimed Espinoza Martinez was a "high-ranking member of the Latin Kings", but this claim was barred from trial by Judge Joan Lefkow. The case against Espinoza Martinez centered on messages he sent via Snapchat that some interpreted as an offer for Bovino's murder in exchange for $10,000.
The acquittal has raised concerns about due process and immigration policies targeting marginalized communities. Immigration authorities have been accused of prioritizing gang membership over the lack of evidence linking Espinoza Martinez to a crime.
! like espinoza martinez was found NOT GUILTY of murder but they're still holding him in detention lol what's up with that? 
it's all about due process and making sure ppl aren't detained without a hearing or bail, ya feel? 
judge hanlon is like the real MVP for speaking truth to power 
espinoza martinez's lawyer is totally right too, he's just trying to live his life and provide for his family but immigration authorities are all over him 
this case is all about how ppl from marginalized communities get targeted by the system and it's just not right 
! A guy gets acquitted of murder-for-hire charges but still gets stuck in detention 
. Like, what's up with that?! 
He's been held for months without even being given a chance to argue his case 
. And now the judge says it's all unlawful and he needs to be released or have a bail hearing ASAP 
. It's like they're trying to punish him for something he didn't do 
.
. I mean, immigration authorities can't just pick people based on what they think might happen in the future 
? It's all so shady 
. Espinoza Martinez might not be guilty of murder-for-hire, but he shouldn't be punished for it either 
.
. And hopefully, the immigration authorities will learn to do their jobs more fairly 
... it's like the system has no idea what's going on anymore 
... i mean, come on, dude was acquitted but still stuck in this detention hell 
... the judge said his detention is UNLAWFUL 
and now he gets to go home or have a bail hearing 
... it's like, we're supposed to be a land of freedom and all that jazz 
... but nope, sometimes it feels like our justice system is more interested in picking winners and losers 
... this guy just wants to live his life and contribute to society like everyone else 
... deportation? really? 
... what's next? deporting people who like tacos? 
️
The fact that prosecutors were trying to label him as a "Latin King" without any evidence is just sickening. We need to stand with Juan and demand justice! 
this is crazy man.. someone gets acquitted on murder charges but then gets locked up by immigration, like what even is that?