House Republicans Call for Magistrate’s Resignation Following Deadly Bail Decision

House Republican Majority Office Graphic (Courtesy)

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire House Republican leaders are calling for the immediate resignation of Magistrate Stephanie Johnson following a controversial bail decision that they say led directly to the death of a Berlin woman, Marisol Fuentes.

According to Republican lawmakers, Johnson ignored prosecutors’ warnings and released a violent offender who went on to kill Fuentes. The incident has reignited concerns over judicial discretion and the broader debate around bail reform in the Granite State.

“This is exactly the kind of preventable tragedy that commonsense bail reform is designed to stop,” said Deputy House Majority Leader Joe Sweeney (R-Salem). “Magistrate Johnson’s decision cost a woman her life, and it’s not the first time her judgment has endangered innocent people.”

Lawmakers noted that earlier this year, Johnson released another violent offender who allegedly went on to critically injure a civilian just months later. These incidents, Republicans argue, highlight a pattern of leniency that has put public safety at risk.

The GOP-led legislature passed a sweeping bail reform measure this year, which was signed into law by Governor Kelly Ayotte and is set to take full effect on September 21. The new law strengthens the ability of bail commissioners to detain repeat and violent offenders before trial—a move Republicans say is long overdue.

But GOP leaders also pointed the finger at their Democratic colleagues, accusing them of attempting to weaken public safety measures. “Democrats even proposed an amendment that would have prevented bail commissioners from considering a defendant’s prior convictions,” said Sweeney. “That’s not justice—that’s negligence.”

Sweeney emphasized that his party’s demands are not politically motivated but rather rooted in public safety. “Until Magistrate Johnson resigns and our new reforms are fully implemented, the people of New Hampshire will continue to live under a system that too often favors offenders over victims.”

House Republicans say the resignation of Magistrate Johnson is necessary to begin restoring public trust in the judicial system, and they are urging Democratic leaders to join them in demanding accountability.