Juarez pleads not guilty to murder charge

Kristina May Juarez is accused of stabbing her brother, Ronald Michael Christensen, in July. Christensen’s body was found after police were called to a residence on Jefferson Avenue for a disturbance.

Juarez is charged with one count of second-degree murder.

Tuesday, Juarez was back in court for an arraignment. She entered a plea of not guilty. Her case will now head to trial.

Also in court Tuesday, defense made a motion to disqualify the court without cause. That means a new judge will be assigned to Juarez’s case before it goes to trial. Because of the motion to disqualify, no date has been set yet for her trial. Once a new judge has been assigned, a trial date will be scheduled.

If convicted of the murder charge, Juarez could face a maximum of life in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Juarez is currently being held in the Bannock County Jail on a $250,000 bond.