Judge Alvin Hellerstein Dies at 89; Maduro Case Reassigned to Analisa Torres

Alvin K. Hellerstein died on Wednesday morning, October 28, 2026, surrounded by his family, according to Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Riverside Memorial Chapel in Manhattan.

Swain described Hellerstein as a distinguished jurist who remained dedicated to his court duties until his death. She stated that he was highly appreciated and would be deeply missed.

“He was very much appreciated and will be deeply missed.”

Until shortly before his death, Hellerstein presided over the arraignment hearing of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple was captured in January during a US military operation in Caracas and face narcoterrorism conspiracy and torture charges.

During the hearing, the former Venezuelan leader twice refused to enter a plea when asked by the judge. Hellerstein then entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. At Flores's bail hearing on October 8, the judge experienced voice difficulties but continued the session.

Hellerstein had scheduled the trial for Maduro and Flores to begin in June 2027 and intended to preside over it. Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, expressed sadness over the death and offered condolences to the family.

The case has been reassigned to Judge Analisa Torres of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Torres has served as a federal judge in that system since 2013.

Hellerstein also recently rejected Donald Trump's request to move his hush-money case involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels out of the New York state court.