Judge Stephanie Boyd denied the defense’s request to remove GPS monitoring from defendant Laura Cruz but directed counsel to narrow the order’s scope. The court said it would keep tracking as a condition while allowing a written proposal identifying any limited areas Cruz may need to enter without prior GPS permission.

The defense, represented by Johnny Cisneros, asked the court to remove the device, saying it “has put a huge burden on Miss Cruz” because she cares for a severely disabled adult child and needs more flexibility for medical and caregiving errands. “It’s just putting a big burden on her,” Cisneros said, asking that the GPS be removed so Cruz can assist family members and the defendant’s boyfriend with urgent medical needs.

Prosecutor Ashley Jones objected, telling the court the state was concerned about safety and would not agree to removing the monitoring as it currently stands. “On behalf of the state… we would just object to changing the GPS as it is right now,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Boyd said she would not simply remove monitoring. Instead she ordered that pretrial conditions remain in place but directed counsel to draft and file a narrowly tailored order identifying specific geographic areas Cruz should be allowed to enter without prior GPS permission (for example, a hospital or a single grocery store). The judge reiterated the existing no-contact restrictions with the complaining witness and said any proposed carve-outs must not undermine that order.

The court set a status/offer deadline of Dec. 4 and recorded that an offer from the state will be due at that time. Judge Boyd also reminded counsel she would enter an order spelling out the alternate conditions if they submit suggested language. The transcript shows the court emphasized strict adherence to the no-contact requirement while trying to reduce undue burdens on daily caregiving where feasible.

What happens next: Counsel for Cruz will submit proposed, geographically limited exceptions to the GPS order; the state and the court will review them at the Dec. 4 status hearing when any plea offer is due.