Court date for man accused of two Fort Myers murders delayed after interpreter mix-up

A court date for Rolbert Joachin, accused of two murders, was postponed after no interpreter was scheduled. Judge Nicholas Thompson asked Joachin during the hearing, "Mr. Joachin, do you need an interpreter? Do you understand what we're saying?" Joachin responded, "Please, I need interpreter." Thompson continued, "You said you need an interpreter, but do you understand what we're saying?" "I don't understand," Joachin responded. Thompson ultimately decided that an interpreter needed to be present for Joachin, who is accused of strangling 28-year-old Julia Curvo to death in January and leaving her body in brush on Hough Street. Police say three months later, Joachin killed Nilufa Easmin, a mother, with a hammer outside a gas station on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. The case has gained national attention after President Donald Trump commented on Joachin's immigration status as a Haitian national. Joachin’s defense attorney, Lee Hollander, explained the delay, saying, "Well, the interpreters, according to the information I just received, are both in trial in Collier County." Both victims' families attended the hearing. Curvo's grandmother, speaking off-camera, expressed disappointment, saying the defense had wasted everyone's time. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DNA, Crime Stoppers tip lead to murder charge in Fort Myers death of Julia Curvo Motion filed to seek death penalty for man accused of killing Fort Myers gas station clerk Man accused of killing 2 Fort Myers women back in court Family mourns Julia Curvo as court records detail failed bid to hold Rolbert Joachin through ICE Timeline details shifting accounts of suspect's immigration status in Fort Myers gas station killing Man accused in deaths of 2 women in Fort Myers assigned new attorney after conflict of interest DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.