Audio By Carbonatix
Independent Journalism in Miami Needs You
We need to raise $10,000 by August 9 to support the reporting our community depends on. Reader support keeps us independent and is playing a larger role in funding local journalism and shaping what comes next. If you believe independent local journalism matters, make a contribution today.
The lawyers for Karlie Tomica, the 20-year-old Nikki Beach bartender and self-proclaimed “Party Princess,” are trying to get the judge assigned to her DUI hit-and-run case thrown out. Tomica’s lawyers claims Miami-Dade Judge Migna Sanchez Llorens made comments during an earlier court appearance that indicated the judge had formed opinions about the case without evidence.
“In life you make choices, and you clearly made choices that night,” Llorens told Tomica during a mid-February court appearance. “You made choices to drink. It’s indicated that your levels were beyond anything ordinary.”
Defense attorneys claim the judge made that statement without hearing evidence or testimony. However, Tomica’s blood alcohol results had come back at three times the legal limit.
Tomica is accused of hitting and killing Stefano Riccioletti, an executive chef at the Shore Club, on Collins Avenue January 29 and then leaving the scene.
“Of all the rights guaranteed by the due process clause, there is none more fundamental than the rights to an impartial judge,” reads the motion, according to WSVN.
Judge Llorens must now either recuse herself from the case or deny the motion. If she denies the motion, Tomica would have the right to appeal.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
