A judge appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a man identified as a criminal immigrant on pretrial release for a burglary case, and he was allegedly involved in a fatal stabbing less than 24 hours later. The suspect, Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, 36, who is also a Spanish citizen, had been in the U.S. since 2007.
Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes released Iriarte-Valdez on Tuesday, according to court records. On Wednesday, Iriarte-Valdez allegedly fatally stabbed 68-year-old Todd Stewart at his Martinez home. Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene.
Holmes, who was appointed to the bench by Newsom in 2024, had previously granted Iriarte-Valdez pretrial release for a residential burglary case. He was reportedly jailed last Tuesday for allegedly violating the terms of his home detention monitoring before Holmes released him.
According to a profile from her law school alma mater, Holmes described herself as a protester focused on fighting injustices and racial disparities within the justice system. "Justice does not always mean a prison sentence," Holmes stated in the profile. "Sometimes it means a treatment program, or intensive counseling, and sometimes it means a dismissal."
Surveillance footage captured the alleged attack, showing Iriarte-Valdez arriving at Stewart's home and engaging in a physical altercation with Stewart on the sidewalk. The footage depicts the men fighting before Stewart falls, and Iriarte-Valdez allegedly continues to stab him.
Stewart, a husband and father of two, had lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years and had recently completed renovations on his home. Friends described him as a mild-mannered and helpful person.
Martinez police arrested Iriarte-Valdez at his home on Friday night. He is currently being held on $1.1 million bail as the investigation into the killing continues. Police have not disclosed a motive for the attack or whether Iriarte-Valdez and Stewart knew each other.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Iriarte-Valdez is a "Venezuelan illegal alien" and urged Newsom to hold him in custody. The department criticized sanctuary policies, suggesting they endanger public safety.
Holmes did not respond to requests for comment.