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Explosions Rock Las Cruces Churches, Hearing Set For APD Officers In Boyd Case

http://holycrosslascruces.org

Explosions Shock Congregants At Two New Mexico ChurchesLas Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press

A pair of small explosions just 20 minutes and a few miles apart shocked congregants at two churches in southern New Mexico.

There were no injuries or deaths from the blasts Sunday morning outside Calvary Baptist and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Las Cruces.

Authorities are working to determine who planted the explosives and whether the blasts were related.

Several agencies including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and New Mexico State Police are assisting with the investigation.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the first explosive device went off at about 8:20 a.m. in a mailbox near Calvary Baptist.

The next blast came from a trash can outside Holy Cross Catholic Church at about 8:40 a.m. The Albuquerque Journal reports the explosion damaged a glass entryway. Parishioners were evacuated through a separate exit.

The churches are less than 4 miles apart. Speaking at a news conference Sunday night, Gov. Susana Martinez says whoever set off explosions outside two churches "will feel the full pressure of the law." 

Hearing Set For Albuquerque Officers Facing Murder Charges - Russell Contreras, Associated Press

A judge will hear from witnesses this week to decide if a former and a current officer with the Albuquerque Police Department should go to trial for killing a homeless man.

A preliminary hearing is set Monday for Officer Dominique Perez and former Detective Keith Sandy who are facing murder charges of the death of James Boyd.

The 38-year-old Boyd, who authorities later said suffered from schizophrenia, was shot during a standoff in March 2014 in the Sandia Mountains foothills. Video of the shooting showed Boyd appearing to surrender before Perez and Sandy opened fire.

Attorneys for the officers say their clients did nothing wrong.

The shooting sparked angry protests around the city.

A judge will decide after listening to witnesses if there is enough probable cause to go to trial.

4 Teenagers Plead Not Guilty In Killing Of New Mexico ManThe Associated Press

Four teenagers charged as adults in the shooting death of a 60-year-old New Mexico man during a night of robbing homes and cars have pleaded not guilty.

The teens ranging in age from 15 to 17 entered their pleas Monday in Albuquerque. The four have been charged with murder, attempted murder and numerous other crimes stemming from the streak of break-ins and burglaries on June 26.

During the crimes, authorities say shots were fired at one man, who wasn't injured, and at Steven Gerecke, who was killed in his driveway.

Two other teens, who are 14 years old, also have been charged but face proceedings in juvenile court. They could face either adult or juvenile penalties if convicted.

The Associated Press isn't identifying the teens because of their ages.

Police Say Church Explosions Had The Potential To Cause Serious InjuryThe Associated Press

A Las Cruces police spokesman says explosions outside two churches "had the potential" to cause serious injury.

Spokesman Danny Trujillo told The Associated Press that the two small blasts within 20 minutes and a few miles apart Sunday morning do not appear to be coincidental.

There were no injuries and only minor damage to the Calvary Baptist and Holy Cross Roman Catholic churches.

Gov. Susana Martinez promised that the "coward" will be caught, telling reporters late Sunday that if the intention was to bring fear to those who worship, it was a failed effort.

Authorities are working to determine who planted the explosives and have not said if more than one person is being sought.

The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and New Mexico State Police are assisting with the investigation.

New Mexico AG To Hold First Anti-Crime Review MeetingAssociated Press

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is set to hold his first meeting with a taskforce reviewing the state's criminal justice system.

The team made up of district attorneys, judges, sheriffs and the window of a slain Rio Rancho police officer is scheduled to meet Monday at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

Balderas says Julie Benner, the wife of the late officer Gregg "Nigel" Benner, is a key member of the team.

Authorities say Benner was shot and killed by 28-year-old Andrew Romero during a traffic stop in May. Romero was a repeat offender who critics say slipped through the justice system before his encounter with Benner.

Last month, Balderas said circumstances that led to Romero's release will be part of an inquiry by his office.

Wolf Conservation Hits Permitting Snag In New MexicoThe Associated Press & The ABQ Journal

Federal fish and wildlife officials are appealing to the state to reconsider its rejection of two permits related to Mexican wolf conservation efforts.

The Albuquerque Journal reports this is the first year the state has denied the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's request to renew a permit to hold wolves at Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch in southwestern New Mexico.

State Game Commission members also denied a request to release wolf pups and two adults on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service in New Mexico.

Phoenix-based U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Jeff Humphrey said state cooperation is preferred, though critics say the agency could proceed regardless of local approval.

The appeals are set to be heard during an Aug. 27 Game Commission meeting.

Rail Runner Train Service Expected To Resume MondayAssociated Press

Rail Runner train service is expected to be back on track Monday.

Rail Runner operations manager Robert Gonzales said in a news release that the trains should proceed as regularly scheduled barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Crews have been working throughout the weekend since flash flooding washed out tracks north of Algodones on Friday evening.

They say about 100 feet of track on the bridge at Arroyo Maria Chavez were impacted.

Roughly 100 commuters who were on remaining northbound and southbound trains Friday night had to be taken by bus between Santa Fe and Bernalillo Stations.

The flash flooding has also led to the postponement of the Rails, Trails, and Ales Brew Tour kick-off event.

City Leaders Want New Mexico Law To Allow Curfews For TeensAssociated Press

Officials in several cities are renewing efforts to change state law allowing them to set a local curfew for teens.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Albuquerque city councilor Ken Sanchez will start pushing this week for legislation addressing curfews in the wake of a 14-year-old boy's shooting death in a park.

Sanchez says he wants a city ordinance similar to one enforced in the mid-1990s before it was struck down in court.

That ordinance prohibited anyone under age 17 from being out after 11 p.m. on weeknights or midnight on weekends.

Gov. Martinez has said communities should be able to decide if they want to issue curfews.

Opponents of the idea say it should be left up to parents to enforce curfews, not government.

Four Las Cruces Teens Charged With Fatally Shooting 5th TeenAssociated Press

Authorities have arrested four Las Cruces teens for allegedly shooting another teen to death while all five were carrying out a home invasion.

Dona Ana County Sheriff's detectives say three 18-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy were booked Saturday into Dona Ana County Detention Center.

All four face multiple charges including first-degree murder for the death of 17-year-old Jaycob Alba.

According to deputies, Alba and the suspects went to a mobile home park Friday around 3 a.m. The suspects allegedly shot into a vehicle and a home.

The home's occupant, who was sleeping, suffered a gunshot wound to the foot. He is expected to recover.

Authorities say Alba was outside when he was shot in the head. They say the suspects fled the area but were located by detectives.

Wolf Conservation Hits Permitting Snag In New MexicoAlbuquerque Journal, Associated Press

Federal fish and wildlife officials are appealing to the state to reconsider its rejection of two permits related to Mexican wolf conservation efforts.

The Albuquerque Journal reports this is the first year the state has denied the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's request to renew a permit to hold wolves at Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch in southwestern New Mexico.

State Game Commission members also denied a request to release wolf pups and two adults on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service in New Mexico.

Phoenix-based U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Jeff Humphrey said state cooperation is preferred, though critics say the agency could proceed regardless of local approval.

The appeals are set to be heard during an Aug. 27 Game Commission meeting.