by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Superior Court Judge Arthur Barcinas thought he needed to recuse himself from presiding over Police Captain Mark Charfauros' criminal case, but another member of the bench thinks otherwise. Barcinas issued a notice of disqualification because he has a personal relationship with Charfauros, who asserted his right to a speedy trial on charges of solicitation to commit assault and official misconduct.

But Judge Elizabeth Barrett Anderson reviewed the notice and found that disqualification wasn't warranted unless the friendship causes the judge to be impartial or biased. Barcinas is scheduled to have a criminal trial setting for Charfauros this Friday.

Charfauros remains on administrative leave along with several other officers who are also under investigation for various allegations that have been raised in the Guam Police Department.