‘Night Stalker’ Judge Takes Self Off Case but Will Rule on Venue

The judge hearing preliminary motions in the prosecution of alleged “Night Stalker” serial murderer Richard Ramirez removed himself from the case today.

Superior Court Judge Dion Morrow said he had no choice but to sustain the legal challenge of Deputy Dist. Atty. Philip Halpin and ordered the case transferred to a new judge, who was expected to be named later today.

Halpin, who filed the motion last week, said at the time that he did not doubt Morrow’s ability to handle the case fairly. Rather, he was concerned that Morrow’s crowded docket would lead to continued delays.

The trial is tentatively set to begin Dec. 2.

Although he removed himself from the trial, Morrow said he will stay with the case until he rules on the defense’s motion for a change of venue. Lawyers for Ramirez have argued that massive pretrial publicity makes it unlikely their client can receive a fair trial here. Hearings on that motion are scheduled to continue in Morrow’s courtroom Nov. 26.

Ramirez, 26, sat passively through this morning’s proceedings. He is accused of 14 murders and 31 other felonies in a series of night break-ins and attacks that terrorized much of the Los Angeles area during the summer of 1985.