Lopez v. KEARNEY EX REL. COUNTY OF PIMA

OPINION

ESPINOSA, Judge.

¶ 1 In this special action, petitioner Gerardo Lopez, a criminal defendant charged with first-degree murder, seeks relief from the order of respondent Judge Howard Hantman denying Lopez’s motion for an automatic change of judge pursuant to Rule 17.4(g), Ariz. R.Crim. P., and, alternatively, from respondent Judge Jan Kearney’s denial of his motion to disqualify respondent Judge Hantman for cause pursuant to Rule 10.1, Ariz. R.Crim. P. In its response, the state agrees respondent Judge Hantman abused his discretion in denying Lopez’s request for an automatic change of…