The SCJ yesterday rejected the request of two defendants in the famous Orlando case to have the judge hearing the case removed. The SCJ felt that the charges that Judge Katia Miguelina Jim?nez Mart?nez had demonstrated bias against Retired General Joaqu?n Antonio Pou Castro and co-defendant Rafael Alfredo Lluberes Ricart ("Lluberito") were unfounded. The trial can resume just as soon as Judge Jim?nez sets a new court date. The trial concerns the 1975 murder of journalist Orlando Mart?nez Howley. Mart?nez had been critical of the government of then-President Balaguer, but it is believed that he may have been assassinated because he was about to uncover in his column an economic scandal involving the State Sugar Council (CEA). In his famous biography, "Memories of a Courtesan," Dr. Balaguer left a bank page (No. 295) about the case that he said would be filled in after his death, hinting that he knows critical secrets about the murder or its original police investigation. Five former military men are standing trial for the murder: in addition to Lluberito and Pou Castro, standing trial are retired Generals Salvador Lluberes Mont?s ("Chinino") and Jos? Isidoro Mart?nez, plus former military man Luis Emilio de la Rosa. Dr. Balaguer has been called as a witness in the case, but had repeatedly declined to attend court proceedings, pleading ill health.
