A Miami judge says he will not allow the parents charged with fatally beating their adoptive daughter to death to skip every court hearing.
Judge William Thomas noted the state is seeking the death penalty against Jorge and Carmen Barahona, saying he wants the couple present for substantive hearings. The couple has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
The Barahonas were not present Thursday and have skipped most hearings due to intense media coverage.
Nubia Barahona's body was found partially decomposed in the back of Jorge's truck in 2011. Her brother survived, but was badly burned after being doused with a toxic chemical.
Jorge Barahona is being held in West Palm Beach. The judge proposed possibly allowing Jorge to participate via phone.
A trial date has not been set.
