Judge's conflict delays bond hearing for suspect in nuclear engineer's stabbing

Edwin Rios, 3 others arrested in fatal stabbing of Alex Restrepo

MIAMI – A bond hearing for one of four men accused in the fatal stabbing of a nuclear engineer at a Halloween party was reset Monday the judge cited a potential conflict of interest.

Edwin Rios will remain in jail without bond until at least Wednesday after Miami-Dade County Judge Alberto Milian revealed that he knows someone who knows the victim.

Rios is accused of killing Alex Restrepo and wounding his brother, Christopher Restrepo, while they were leaving a Halloween party Oct. 21 in southwest Miami-Dade County.

"Perhaps maybe we can come to some sort of an agreement to release conditions, but just a very sad situation," defense attorney Peter Heller told Local 10 News.

Rios was the first suspect arrested in connection with the crime. Three others -- Andres Feo, Alejandro Tapia and Sebastian Zorrilla -- were arrested a few days later. They face charges of murder and attempted murder.

Miami-Dade police detectives said other partygoers helped to identify the attackers, describing Rios as the only person who was wearing a "prom king-type costume" with a gold crown.

"We look forward to our day in court for Mr. Zorrilla and Mr. Feo and prove their innocence," defense attorney Dylan Gonzalez said. "Other than that, we really don't have any comment."

Rios' hearing was reset for Wednesday morning, giving his attorney time to sort things out with the judge and prosecutors.

The other three defendants are expected to be arraigned in the next few weeks.