At today’s opening criminal trial of Nareg Hartounian, his defense lawyer, Hayk Alumyan, made a motion for the judge to recuse herself.

Alumyan argued that Judge Nelli Baghdasaryan could not serve in an impartial manner because she has family connections with the plaintiffs.

Judge Baghdasaryan called for a postponement to review the motion.

Baghdasaryan will issue her ruling at 3:00pm.