The double homicide trial for Isaiah Brown was paused during jury selection after the judge realized he knew the accused’s family and recused himself.
Brown, 23, of Bloomfield, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Aug. 28, 2024, shooting deaths of Stoney Torres, 25, and Jessica Aragon, 28, at a home in Bloomfield.
Brown’s trial began March 24 with jury selection.
Attorneys had questioned 66 potential jurors before one juror began naming Brown’s family members. The juror identified Isaiah Brown as the son of Dion Brown, of Farmington, and Karla Brown.
The juror also said they knew Dion Brown’s family members, including his brother, Greg Brown, and sister, Melissa Brown, all of Farmington.
District Judge Stephen Wayne said that because Brown was a “common name,” he “had no idea” Isaiah Brown was related to that family.
“Melissa Brown was my legal assistant in 2013 to 2014,” Wayne said, adding that he took an “infant CPR class” from Greg Brown.
Wayne described the relationship with the family as “tenuous” and said it would affect his impartiality, prompting him to take a recess to speak with the prosecution and defense.
After a 10-minute recess, Wayne returned to the courtroom and said he “had time to reflect” and “I need to recuse myself.”
The case was reassigned to District Judge Curtis Gurley, who recused himself. It was then assigned to District Judge Brenna Clani-Washinawatok, who also recused herself, followed by District Judge Brad Dalley, who likewise recused himself.
The case was ultimately assigned to District Judge Bradley Keeler, a McKinley County judge.
A new jury trial date has not been set.