New Mexico

Judge Rapped, Should Have Stepped Aside Before Going to Lunch with PD, Official Argues

It wasn’t only the gag sex-book gift that got a New Mexico judge into trouble. Handing an assistant public defender a book on The One-Hour Orgasm, with his own photo pasted over the author’s (who happened to have the same name), apparently violated a sexual harassment policy. And it was…

Oct 13, 2010 1:50 AM CDT

Retired Lawyer Pleads in Child Porn Case; Feds to Ask for 5- to 9-Year Sentence

A retired New York lawyer living in New Mexico originally facing five counts of receiving child pornography and two counts of possessing child pornography pleaded guilty this week to one count of knowingly receiving an illicit video. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to recommend a sentence of five to nine…

Sep 1, 2010 9:09 PM CDT

Man in Custody re Death Threat to Judge; Courthouse Evacuated

A 22-year-old burglary suspect is in custody after threats to kill a judge led to the evacuation yesterday of the courthouse at which he was to be sentenced. Steven Martinez hasn’t been charged in connection with the threats yesterday afternoon, but Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano says he expects…

Aug 31, 2010 4:25 PM CDT

Sentencing Delayed for Defendant as He Plays Poker in Restitution Effort

A professional poker player who pleaded guilty to securities fraud is getting a chance to repay his victims by playing the game. Samuel McMaster Jr. struck a plea deal with New Mexico authorities that will allow him to play poker—even travel out of state for tournaments—and make monthly restitution payments…

Aug 9, 2010 1:15 PM CDT

NM Governor Considers Pardoning Billy the Kid, Angering Sheriff’s Descendants

A possible pardon for Billy the Kid has brought protests from descendants of the sheriff who may have killed the outlaw. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has said he would consider a pardon, prompting a letter from three grandchildren of lawman Pat Garrett, according to the Associated Press, the El…

Aug 3, 2010 12:37 PM CDT

UNM Sued By 2nd Prof Re Controversial ‘Dominatrix’ English Dept. Colleague

A tenured English professor who reportedly maintained an online persona as a dominatrix, posing with current and former graduate students, and admittedly supplemented her salary by working for a sex line for $40/hour was a matter outside the University of New Mexico’s proper purview, a spokeswoman says. But an ongoing…

Jul 13, 2010 8:32 PM CDT

Man Sues Neighbor Over Bad Vibes, Says She Must Turn Off Electronics

A man who says he suffers from “electromagnetic sensitivities” has sued a neighbor and now former friend in New Mexico state court, seeking $530,000 in damages and a court order requiring her to turn off her wireless electronic devices. The plaintiff homeowner, Arthur Firstenberg, 59, says he asked defendant Raphaela…

Mar 30, 2010 6:47 PM CDT

Suspect Reportedly Confesses to Lawyer, Helps Police Find Bodies

A man who walked into the office of an Albuquerque lawyer had some information, according to an arrest warrant. The man confessed to lawyer Louren Oliveros that he had killed two people and wanted to turn himself in, the arrest warrant alleges. The suspect, Ralph Montoya, reportedly told Oliveros and…

Mar 9, 2010 6:58 PM CST

Ex-Associate Tries Again, Wins Ruling He Can Seek $12M in Fees From Former Firm

Dismissing other claims by a former associate of Labaton Sucharow, a New York state judge has nonetheless ruled in his favor concerning what she calls the “big issue.” Jon Adams, a former assistant New Mexico attorney general, can continue to pursue a contract claim that the firm owes him about…

Jan 12, 2010 7:26 PM CST

Ex-Chief Justice of New Mexico Dies While Giving Speech to Law Students

Former New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Gene Franchini collapsed and died Wednesday while giving a speech to first-year students at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Students tried to perform CPR but were unable to revive Franchini, KOB.com reports. The audience of about 100 people included students,…

Nov 5, 2009 2:25 PM CST

‘Outstanding Young Lawyer’ on Trial in Santa Fe Vehicular Homicide

A politically connected Santa Fe lawyer goes on trial this week in the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian. Lawyer Carlos Fierro is charged with vehicular homicide and causing a fatal accident, according to KRQE.com and the Santa Fe New Mexican. Police allege Fierro’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.…

Sep 21, 2009 2:44 PM CDT

Accused of Discrimination, Football Coach Sues for Libel, Is Accused of Retaliation

After an attorney for a longtime worker at the University of New Mexico spoke to a local newspaper about her client’s discrimination lawsuit against a well-known football coach and the university, he sued the lawyer and her client for defamation. Now attorney Whitney Warner is threatening to pursue a retaliation…

Aug 19, 2009 10:25 PM CDT

N.M. Governor Signs Bill Repealing Death Penalty

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has changed his earlier stance and signed a bill repealing the death penalty in the state. Richardson called his change of heart the “most difficult decision in my political life,” the Associated Press reports. “Faced with the reality that our system for imposing the death…

Mar 19, 2009 11:08 AM CDT

N.M. Lawmakers Repeal Death Penalty

The legislature of New Mexico voted today to repeal the state’s death penalty, replacing it with a sentence of life without possibility of parole. The bill now goes to the governor for his signature, reports the Associated Press. Although Gov. Bill Richardson has previously said he would oppose such legislation,…

Mar 14, 2009 12:09 AM CDT

Judicial Diversity is Lacking, But Here’s What to Do to Improve, Report Says

Women and minorities are still underrepresented on the state trial and appellate court bench, regardless whether the judges are elected or appointed to their positions. But there are things that can be done to include their chances of winning seats proportionate to their representation in the general population, according to…

Feb 2, 2009 9:13 PM CST