The judge who had been presiding over the case of the El Paso, Texas, shooter accused of killing 22 people at a Walmart last month has recused herself because she knew one of the victims.

State District Judge Angie Juárez Barill announced her recusal from the case in a statement on Wednesday, according to The Associated Press, citing both her personal connection as well as the possibility that the case will extend beyond her tenure in the judgeship.

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Barill did not indicate which victim she knew, but said she informed both the prosecution and defense of the situation.



Barill was assigned last week to the capital murder case of Patrick Crusius, who was indicted by a grand jury on one count of capital murder of multiple people and is currently being held without bond.

Barill is not running for reelection for her current position. Her term ends in December 2020.

“A case of this magnitude should begin with a Judge who can be reasonably sure to see it through to its conclusion," she wrote in her statement.

Barill is running for chief justice of the 8th Texas Court of Appeals in the upcoming election cycle.