DA Takes Blame In Release Of Man Accused Of Killing Officer – The Associated Press
Bernalillo District Attorney Kari Brandenburg says she is partly to blame for the release of a man accused of killing a Rio Rancho police officer.
Twenty-eight-year-old Andrew Romero is now facing multiple charges, including murder, in the May death of officer Gregg Benner.
In January, Romero had been in jail on charges including armed robbery, aggravated assault, drug trafficking and car theft.
Brandenburg says that Romero's prior criminal history seemed to be drug-related, which is why she agreed to a plea deal that would take Romero out of jail and into a drug rehabilitation center near Espanola.
But Romero never made it to the rehab facility.
A supervisor in Brandenburg's office signed off on the plea deal but had been unaware that Romero had been convicted of manslaughter in 2006.
Albuquerque Sit-In Protesters To Hold Anniversary Event – The Associated Press
A group of activists arrested last year for holding a sit-in at the Albuquerque mayor's office over police shootings are coming together again.
The advocates are scheduled Tuesday to meet at 1 Civic Plaza in downtown Albuquerque for a rally and to discuss the sit-in that shutdown City Hall.
Thirteen activists were arrested after they sat in the mayor's office more than an hour. One protester chained herself to a stand holding a piece of southwest pottery.
The sit-in was part of a string of protests last year over Albuquerque police shooting.
The city recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to overhaul the police force amid allegations of excessive force.
Judge OKs Albuquerque, US Agreement On Police Use Of Force – The Associated Press
A federal judge has approved an agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Albuquerque to overhaul use of force by the New Mexico city's police department.
The agreement approved Tuesday by District Judge Robert C. Brack was negotiated amid allegations of excessive force by police officers, including more than 40 shootings involving officers since 2010.
According to a Justice Department report, officers too frequently used deadly force on people who posed a minimal threat and used a higher level of force too often on those with mental illness.
A police union objected to aspects of the agreement, but Brack said it "lays a thoughtful foundation for building systemic reform" in the Police Department.
He ordered annual hearings on progress in implementing the agreement.
Jury Awards Man $200,000 For Officer's Excessive Force – The Associated Press
A jury's ruling that an Albuquerque Police officer used excessive force includes $200,000 in compensatory damages for physical and psychological injuries.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Jerry Rodriguez filed his lawsuit over a 2010 incident with police that took place a month after they questioned him about a homicide.
Rodriguez's truck looked like the vehicle that was involved in the crime, leading police to question him. He says he thought he was being carjacked when officers, who never identified themselves, pulled him to the ground.
Four Albuquerque police officers were named in the lawsuit, and Russell Perea was the only one found to have used excessive force.
The next phase of the trial starts in two weeks and will focus on municipal liability.
Court Rejects Ex-Officer's Immunity Claim In Fatal Wreck – The Associated Press
A federal appeals court has rejected a former Albuquerque police officer's claim of immunity in a lawsuit stemming from a 2013 fatal auto accident.
Adam Casaus was off duty while driving a marked police SUV with its emergency lights on when he ran a red light, resulting in Ashley Browder's death and severely injury to her sister, Lindsay Browder.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a trial judge's denial of Casaus' claim to immunity in a lawsuit filed by Browder family members.
The 10th Circuit said the lawsuit alleging violation of due-process rights can proceed because Casaus intentionally misused his police vehicle
The Police Department fired Casaus, who initially claimed he was looking for a drunken driver. He later convicted of misdemeanor careless driving.
Carlsbad Mental Health Center Workers Face Fraud Charges – The Associated Press
New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas says four employees of a defunct Carlsbad mental health center are facing Medicaid fraud charges after a statewide investigation.
Balderas announced Tuesday that he has filed criminal complaints against Michael Stoll, Noel Clark, Darrill Woodfield and John Bain — all former top personnel at Carlsbad Mental Health Center.
Each were charged with eight counts of Medicaid fraud under the Medicaid Fraud Act, one count of conspiracy and one count of fraud involving non-Medicaid funds.
No numbers were listed for Michael Stoll and John Bain for their New Mexico homes. No number was listed for Noel Clark at his Dalhart, Texas residence.
No one answered a phone call for a number listed for Darril Woodfield to his Carlsbad home.
Bear Attacks Hunter In New Mexico's Lincoln National Forest – The Associated Press
Authorities are searching for an adult black bear involved in the attack of a 55-year-old hunter in New Mexico's Lincoln National Forest.
State Department of Game and Fish officials say the man suffered deep flesh wounds from scratches on his chest and a bite to his leg Monday.
He was treated and released from Lincoln County Medical Center in Ruidoso.
Conservation officers are searching for the bear so it can be tested for rabies.
The attack occurred in the forest near Baca Campground.
The man had been hunting for antler sheds in thick brush when he apparently surprised the bear, which attacked the hunter before fleeing into the woods.
The injured man notified his hunting companion by two-way radio. The two hiked to their vehicle and drove to the hospital.
Groups Call For Halt To Drilling In Northwest New Mexico - The Associated Press
Environmental groups have renewed their call for the end of hydraulic fracturing in northwestern New Mexico as part of an ongoing battle over oil and natural gas development and protection of archaeological sites.
The groups delivered a letter to the Bureau of Land Management in Farmington on Monday. They contend more development could harm the region that includes Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
The letter follows a court filing last month that seeks to stop the BLM from approving permits to drilling in the Mancos Shale formation.
The groups say the Farmington office has approved 265 permits since 2013 and more than 90 wells have already been drilled and flared.
The BLM declined to comment directly on the pending litigation but said it carefully reviews all permitted wells to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
Man Identified In Fatal Shooting In Southeast Albuquerque - The Associated Press and KOAT-TV
Albuquerque police have identified the man fatally shot in the city's southeast area, but are still looking for the killer.
KOAT-TV reports that 43-year-old Marvin Ellis was shot on Palomas Drive near Bell Avenue Sunday afternoon. Neighbors said they heard 12 gunshots.
Police said Monday that they have a motive and are working on leads in the case.
Family members say they believe the victim knew his shooter and considered him a friend. They also say this is the second death they've had to deal with this year. Rev. Robert Vaughn says they're also mourning the death of 17-year-old Jaquise Lewis, who was shot in a skate park in March.
Police say they cannot confirm Lewis and Ellis are related and that Sunday's shooting is not connected to the skate park incident.
New Electrical Substations Go Online In Southern New Mexico - The Associated Press
Xcel Energy says two new substations and a pair of transmission lines are now in service in southeastern New Mexico.
The company announced Monday it has hit a milestone in its project to boost the high-voltage transmission and distribution system in the region by bringing the new infrastructure online.
Project manager Shannon Close says the substations and lines came in on time and on budget. They're capable of adding 25,000 horsepower to the region's industrial base.
Horsepower is a measurement of the power needed to run oil pump jacks and other equipment. One horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts of power.
In all, Xcel has plans to invest $3 billion in new and improved power lines, substations and generating equipment across its Texas-New Mexico service area between now and 2020.
Official: New Mexico Water Debate To Be Shaped By Transfers - The Associated Press
Drought has eased its grip on New Mexico, but a top water official tells lawmakers the arid state still will be faced with proposals to transfer water from where it's located to those areas that need it most.
State Engineer Tom Blaine testified Monday before a legislative committee focused on water and natural resources.
Blaine mentioned a revamped proposal to pipe billions of gallons of drinking water from rural western New Mexico to more populated areas. The previous state engineer denied the initial application, saying it was too vague.
A decision has yet to be made on the latest proposal, but Blaine says serious questions need to be asked about the effects of inter-basin transfers.
Some lawmakers said New Mexico needs to do a better job of getting water to where it's needed.
Martinez Appoints New DA For Chaves, Eddy And Lea Counties - The Associated Press and Hobbs News-Sun
Gov. Susana Martinez has appointed a new district attorney for three southeast New Mexico counties.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports reports that the Republican governor last week tapped 5th Judicial Chief Deputy District Dianna Luce to replace retiring District Attorney Janetta Hicks.
Luce will work out of Lea County and would oversee Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties.
The 50-year-old Luce served as a Lea County magistrate judge from 2004 to 2008, and has served as the chief deputy district attorney for the Fifth Judicial District since 2009.
Last month, Hicks announced she was leaving office two years into her second four-year term for personal and financial reasons.
Dona County Officials Arrested In Fraud, ID Theft Sting - The Associated Press
Authorities say seven people, including four employees of a southern New Mexico county clerk's office, have been arrested in a fraud and identity theft sting.
Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department said Monday that three employees were arrested Monday at the county's Clerk's Office and four were arrested Friday in Anthony, New Mexico.
Sheriff's officials say they have launched a formal investigation into allegations of identity theft, forgery and fraud against the suspects.
They say four of the suspects are document technicians at the clerk's office.
The employees allegedly were collecting and cashing fraudulent tax return checks in exchange for a kickback and-or a percentage of the check.
The U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Treasury Department also are helping with the investigation, which began last month.
Gannett Buys El Paso Times, 6 New Mexico Papers - The Associated Press
Gannett Co., Inc. has announced that it has purchased from Digital First Media the remaining majority interest in the Texas-New Mexico Newspapers Partnership.
The McLean, Virginia-based media company said Monday that Gannett now will own 100 percent of the Texas-New Mexico Newspapers Partnership. That partnership includes the El Paso Times; Alamogordo Daily News; Carlsbad Current-Argus; The Daily Times in Farmington; Deming Headlight; Las Cruces Sun-News; and the Silver City Sun-News.
Gannett also acquired Pennsylvania's newspapers Chambersburg Public Opinion; Hanover Evening Sun; Lebanon Daily News; and the York Daily Record.
The deal was completed through the assignment of Gannett's 19.5 percent interest in the California Newspapers Partnership and additional cash consideration.
Gannett says it will no longer have any ownership interest in the California Newspapers Partnership.
Incoming Santa Fe Archbishop Bids Utah Congregation Goodbye - The Associated Press
Roman Catholic Church bishop John C. Wester has bid an emotional farewell to Salt Lake City before for his new appointment in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Wester told his congregation Sunday that he'll remember Utah as his starting place as he shared a quote about journeys from the poet T.S. Eliot.
Wester has led Utah's Catholics since March 2007. He will be installed in his new position in Santa Fe Thursday.
The Salt Lake City Diocese announced last month that Wester will replace Archbishop Michael Sheehan in the Santa Fe post.
The 75-year-old Sheehan is retiring, more than 20 years after he was installed as archbishop in 1993.
Sheehan has said he plans to retire in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque Police: Gunshot Victim In Critical Condition - The Associated Press
Albuquerque police say a woman is hospitalized in critical but stable condition after being shot.
The shooting took place Monday morning in southeast Albuquerque the 2100 block of Coal Place.
A police spokesman says investigators are having trouble getting cooperation of the victim and other witnesses.
One neighbor said he heard screaming but neither that man nor a man working a nearby homereported hearing any gunshots.
Shatner To Travel Across US On Three-Wheeled Motorcycle - The Associated Press
William Shatner is boldly traveling across the U.S. on three-wheeled motorcycle.
The "Star Trek" star announced plans Monday for the cross-country mission to promote his custom motorcycle and raise awareness about the American Legion.
Shatner partnered with motorcycle builder American Wrench to create the Rivet motorcycle. The Aurora, Illinois-based company says the silver studded bike is inspired by the B-17 bomber.
The eight-day journey will launch June 23 outside Chicago and make stops in St. Louis; Kansas City, Missouri; Oklahoma City; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque; Flagstaff, Arizona; and Las Vegas before arriving in Los Angeles on June 30.
Shatner will be joined on the 2,400-mile ride by members of the American Legion and American Wrench crew. The company is planning to sell limited quantities of his Shatner's trike.