Judge in Moreno Restraining Order Case 'Not Convinced of Continuous Threat'

A Middlesex District Superior Court Judge is facing criticism and confusion from the public after he denied the renewal of a no-contact order filed by Aaden Moreno’s mother, Adrianna Oyola, against father Tony Moreno.

Moreno, 21, of 155 Schuyler Ave., Middletown, was charged with murder and murder with special circumstances after allegedly throwing his infant son into the Connecticut River, before jumping in himself.

The father survived the jump and is being held on a $2,000,000 bond. He was turned over to Department of Corrections on July 8. Aaden’s body was recovered on Tuesday, July 7.

A temporary restraining was in effect from was in place from June 17 to June 29, via Judge Edward Domnarski.

When Judge Barry C. Pinkus heard the case on June 29, he reportedly told Oyola and Moreno they were behaving like children, according to the Middletown Press.

“I’m just not convinced that there’s a continuous threat of present physical pain or physical injury,” Pinkus reportedly said in the courtroom.

Comments made on the Middletown Patch Facebook page reflect shock, sorrow and sympathy for the family. People also expressed frustration at the legal aspects of the case.

“If the judge had of listen (sic) to her he would still be here,” Cheryl Miller McCarthy said on the Middletown Patch Facebook page.

Chief Court Administrator Patrick L. Carroll III released a statement noting that these are the types of difficult decisions judges are charged with making and they cannot predict what may happen in the future.

“While it would be inappropriate for me to comment directly on Judge Pinkus’ ruling, I believe that it is representative of the difficult decisions that judges must make each and every day,” Carroll said. “These discretionary decisions are made after an assessment of the evidence that is presented and in accordance with applicable state law. Yet even with a deliberative process, it is impossible for judges to predict the future with certainty.”

Click here to read the full report from the Middletown Press.

Photo: Tony Moreno after he was pulled from the Connecticut River (Credit: Middletown Police)