“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know this magistrate’s not making appropriate decisions. And some are so outrageous, you have to question her ability to sit and judge on these cases going forward, and I want to make sure we do the best we can for our victims,” [John] Stephen said on the NHJournal podcast Monday…
In the wake of the horrific murder of 25-year-old Sandra Marisol Fuentes Huaracha’s murder by her estranged husband, Michael Gleason Jr., the state’s Supreme Court chief justice has ordered a review.
But that’s not fast enough for Executive Councilors Joe Kenney (R-Unity) and John Stephen (R-Manchester), who have written the court and asked for Magistrate Stephanie Johnson to be immediately barred from hearing more bail cases due to her troubled track record.
“Pursuant to Supreme Court Administrative Order 2024-03, which empowers the Chief Justice to remove a magistrate for cause at any time during their five-year term, we urge you to exercise this authority without delay and remove Magistrate Johnson from her position,” they wrote to state Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald and Administrative Judge Ellen Christo.
“This step is essential not only to hold accountable those whose judgments have led to preventable loss but also to restore confidence in our bail processes. We stand ready to support any necessary reforms to strengthen our system and prioritize victim safety.”
Kenney raised questions about the case when the Executive Council met in Coos County last week, and Stephen has been railing about Johnson since learning about her role in a previous bail fiasco.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know this magistrate’s not making appropriate decisions. And some are so outrageous, you have to question her ability to sit and judge on these cases going forward, and I want to make sure we do the best we can for our victims,” Stephen said on the NHJournal podcast Monday.
“I called on the court to immediately remove this magistrate from any of her duties. And we’ve got to be serious about bail, and we have to stop this nonsense,” Stephen added.
In late April, Johnson allowed Gleason out on $5,000 cash bail after his arrest on serious felony charges, including sexual assault, kidnapping, domestic violence, and theft. Gleason eventually posted bail and, on the morning of Sunday, July 6, made his way to La Casita Mexican restaurant in Berlin, where Fuentes Huaracha worked.
