Charges Dropped Against Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting - The Associated Press
Police have a new suspect in a fatal Bernalillo County shooting after police arrested the wrong man based on an informant's statement.
The Albuquerque Journal reports 20-year-old Emilio Marquez has been charged in the shooting death of 22-year-old Jared Clark, who was found lying on a road in the Albuquerque area in early June.
An informant pointed police to 29-year-old Carlos Escudero, but tips to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office said a different man was responsible for the crime.
Witnesses and cell phone records placed Escudero elsewhere at the time of Clark's death and the charge against him was dropped.
The investigation eventually led officers to Marquez.
The informant, 27-year-old Julian Romero, has been charged with tampering with evidence and conspiracy.
Gov. Martinez Defends State Tax And Revenue Chief - The Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez says she has total faith in state Taxation and Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla about allegations of wrongdoing by Padilla until evidence reveals that she shouldn't.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Padilla, who has served as tax secretary since 2011, is accused of trying to pressure employees to give preferential treatment to her former client in a tax audit.
The allegations against Padilla were brought to light this month by State Auditor Tim Keller. Keller's office hired a firm that found evidence supporting the accusations.
A spokesman for Padilla says that Keller never interviewed Padilla or other department officials. A spokesman for Keller maintains that the investigation "included interviews with multiple people" at the department.
The state attorney general is reviewing the evidence.
Indictments Charge 6 Teens In Killing Of New Mexico Man - The Associated Press
New indictments charge six previously arrested New Mexico teens with murder in the shooting death of a 60-year-old Albuquerque man.
They've also been charged with attempted murder in another shooting and numerous other crimes.
The indictments stem from a June 26 streak of break-ins and auto burglaries that led to shots being fired at one man and the slaying of Steven Gerecke in his driveway.
The teens charged in the indictments announced Friday range in age from 14 to 17.
Each faces at least 40 criminal counts. Four are being prosecuted as adults and could face life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. Two are being prosecuted as juveniles. They could face either adult or juvenile penalties if convicted.
The Associated Press isn't identifying the teens because of their ages.