BENTONVILLE -- A November jury trial was scheduled Tuesday for a Bella Vista mother accused of killing her 6-year-old son.
Cathy Torres, 44, and her husband, Mauricio Torres, 46, are charged with capital murder and first-degree battery. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
The couple are being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.
Cathy Torres was in court Tuesday where Circuit Judge Brad Karren scheduled her jury trial to begin Nov. 1. A pretrial hearing is set for 2:30 p.m. Oct. 11.
Maurice Isaiah Torres, 6, was pronounced dead at an area hospital March 29, 2015. A medical examiner determined the boy suffered from chronic child abuse and his death was from internal injuries caused by rape, according to court documents.
The autopsy also found the final trauma to the boy occurred within 24 hours of his death.
The family had been on an overnight camping trip in Missouri on March 28, 2015, according to the affidavit.
Police found blood spatter in the couple's bedroom and in an attached bathroom March 30, 2015. Police also searched the camper used on the camping trip. They found a blood stain on the mattress and suspected blood spatter was found throughout the camper, according to the affidavit.
Benton County prosecutors didn't file rape charges in the case. Nathan Smith, prosecutor, previously said the suspected rape occurred in Missouri.
Prosecutors will try Mauricio Torres first. His jury trial is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 22.
The Torreses could each be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty if convicted of capital murder. They face from five to 20 years if convicted of first-degree battery.
General News on 06/22/2016