ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Mothers who lost their sons to violence in New Mexico testified Monday that something has to be done to keep suspects accused of brutal crimes behind bars ahead of their trials marking the official start of a legislative debate over a proposed change to the state's troubled pretrial detention system.
.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....
Our criminal justice system is a multi-faceted machine involving law enforcement response and investigation, followed by prosecution in the court system, and culminating with a final judicial order that can lead to a defendant’s placement in the corrections system. All these parts must function efficiently and effectively in order for the system to work properly and meet the end goal of dispensing reasonable justice.
It is frustrating to the Roswell Police Department when its detectives, officers and technicians pour themselves into collecting evidence, finding witnesses, conducting interviews and applying various other investigatory techniques to build solid cases against defendants accused of significant crimes such as homicide only to watch as the District Attorney’s Office resolves some of these cases with plea agreements that seem to fall seriously short of doling out the needed justi
The suspect in a November deadly shooting in Roswell has pleaded not guilty to three criminal counts.
Manuel Villarreal (Submitted Photo)
District Attorney Dianna Luce of New Mexico’s Fifth Judicial District confirmed that Manuel Villarreal, 36, of Roswell, waived a formal reading of charges at his arraignment Monday and pleaded not guilty to one count each of first degree murder, willful and deliberate; bribery of a witness, bribes or threats; and receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon.
Luce, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment further.
Sandra Gallagher, Villarreal’s attorney, could not be reached for comment about her client’s plea or the case before press time Tuesday.