Moving forward: Judge to recuse herself from Vargas’ DWI Case

Arraignment
Trustee Michael Vargas stands before the judge during his Tuesday morning arraignment at the Cameron County Courthouse.
(Photo by Freddy Jimenez)

By J. NOEL ESPINOZA
Special to the NEWS

During Tuesday’s arraignment over his July 5 arrest for driving while intoxicated, San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees President Michael A. Vargas was unable to enter a plea at the Cameron County Courthouse in Brownsville.

Presiding Judge Estela Chavez Vazquez expects to recuse herself from Vargas’ case after a hearing at Cameron County Court at Law #5.

“Actually, the judge intends to recuse herself,” said Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz referring to Chavez-Vazquez after the hearing. “Nothing was determined other than she ordered the defendant to install the interlock device (on vehicle).”

The media and people who showed up to the hearing were not sure exactly what had transpired, some only hearing about the need to install the interlock device in his vehicle.

Before Chavez-Vasquez took the decision to bar media from the courtroom, Vargas waited in the chambers while other defendants of various charges, including DWIs, waited inside as well.

Even though there have been reports that Vargas has a new court date set for Oct. 31, Saenz said that is not the case, because once the judge recuses herself, “it stops everything right there.”

Saenz said once Chavez-Vasquez recuses herself formally, a new judge will be appointed by a judge of the Fifth Administrative Judicial Region of Texas, which is based in Corpus Christi.

“That judge will appoint somebody else and that (appointed) judge will come in and will pick up where she left off.”

Editor’s note: This article has been edited for length. To read the full story, click here or make sure to grab a copy at one of our various newspaper racks.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2019/10/17/moving-forward-judge-to-recuse-herself-from-vargas-dwi-case/

5 comments

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    • Ouch It Hurts on October 27, 2019 at 7:01 pm
    • Reply

    Apparently Vargas was being eyed as a CHAIR for the Democrat Party locally is what was RUMORED. NO SE PORQUE LE TIENEN TANTO MIEDO A VARGAS? Could it be the ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE? I personally don’t care. But he has BOUGHT soo much NEGATIVE ATTENTION on the DISTRICT.

    • Frustrated Harlingenite` on October 24, 2019 at 11:53 am
    • Reply

    So, what good is this chavez vasquez broad? What is the reason for her to recuse herself from this case? Just because she wants too or does she think that vargas is innocent? There should be no consideration just because of his position. Treat him like all the others that don’t have a position to rely on or like the poor guy with no one to help him.
    chavez vaquez, worthless POS!

    • Dennis Rod on October 17, 2019 at 10:02 pm
    • Reply

    That judge, Dan Sanchez, Luis Sanez and Michael Vargas have one thing in common they are self-serving DemocRATS-

    • Ouch it Hurts on October 17, 2019 at 8:44 pm
    • Reply

    I hope THE PUBLIC is keeping TRACK of these JUDGES who RECUSE THEMSELVES from this case. If ANY OF THEM want YOUR VOTE please DENY THEM THAT. Mr. Vargas thinks HE’S ABOVE THE LAW along with OTHER PUBLIC Officials who think THEY CAN PULL THE WOOL over the PUBLICS HEAD. I find it hard to believe the MADD crowd hasn’t taken out their PITCHFORKS. OH, and KEEP VOTING DEMOCRAT, and get more of the same.

    • Ouch it Hurts on October 17, 2019 at 8:43 pm
    • Reply

    I hope THE PUBLIC is keeping TRACK of these JUDGES who RECUSE THEMSELVES from this case. If ANY OF THEM want YOUR VOTE please DENY THEM THAT. Mr. Vargas thinks HE’S ABOVE THE LAW along with OTHER PUBLIC Officials who think THEY CAN PULL THE WOOL over the PUBLICS HEAD. I find it hard to believe the MADD crowd hasn’t taken out their PITCHFORKS. OH, and KEEP VOTING DEMOCRAT, and get more of the same.

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