The California judge who released a Venezuelan national arrested for burglary — and later allowed him to remain on pretrial home detention despite his violation of its terms — had previously said that justice can sometimes mean "dismissal" in an interview with her alma mater, the University of San Francisco School of Law.The day after Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes dismissed Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, a Venezuelan national, he was accused of stabbing another man to death while attempting another burglary.The killing of Todd Stewart, 68, outside his home of more than 30 years has renewed scrutiny of judges’ discretion in releasing repeat criminal offenders.It also comes as Republican leaders criticize "sanctuary" policies that they say make it difficult for federal immigration enforcement agents to do their jobs and put the public at risk.Holmes, who was appointed to Contra Costa Superior Court by Democratic Gov.
Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., in 2024, ordered on Aug.5, 2024, that Iriarte-Valdez, an Venezuelan national who holds Spanish citizenship, be released on his own recognizance.
The Department of Homeland Security called Iriarte-Valdez an "illegal alien" in a social media post, but later said he was "legally admitted" to the U.S.in 2007.
DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on his immigration status.DEADLY HOSPITAL STABBING PUTS NEWSOM UNDER PRESSURE OVER ICE DETAINER FIGHTContra Costa Superior Judge Nichelle Holmes permitted Marcos Iriarte-Valdez to be released after he was found to have violated the terms of his home detention.The following day he allegedly stabbed to death Todd Stewart.
(Governor Newsom's office / KTVU-TV)Holmes' ruling to allow Iriarte-Valez to walk free aligns with an interview that she gave to her alma mater the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2017, in which she claimed that her work as then-deputy district attorney of Contra Costa County is her way of fighting against i...