By MORGAN LEE and ANDREW DALTON SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A defense attorney told jurors Wednesday that the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was an “unspeakable tragedy” but that “ Alec Baldwin committed no crime; he was an actor, acting.” Baldwin’s lawyer Alex Spiro emphasized in his opening statement in a Santa Fe, New Mexico, […]
Courts, Justice & Safety
Jury is seated in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial in New Mexico
By MORGAN LEE and ANDREW DALTON SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A jury was seated Tuesday for Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial in New Mexico, where opening statements are set to start Wednesday. Twelve jurors and four alternates were chosen by Santa Fe County special prosecutors and the actor’s team of defense attorneys. They’ll be tasked with […]
Alec Baldwin is about to go on trial in the death of a cinematographer. Here are key things to know
By ANDREW DALTON Nearly three years after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on the New Mexico set of the film “Rust,” Alec Baldwin’s trial over her death is about to begin. The actor is in Santa Fe, and has appeared in court for the first time during pre-trial motions. Here are the essential things to know. What […]
Americans are split over whether Trump should face prison in the hush money case, AP-NORC poll finds
By BILL BARROW and LINLEY SANDERS WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are about evenly split on whether former President Donald Trump should face prison time for his recent felony conviction on hush money charges, according to a new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Among U.S. adults, 48% say the former president and presumptive Republican nominee […]
Judge rules Alec Baldwin’s role as co-producer not relevant to trial over fatal set shooting
By MORGAN LEE A New Mexico judge decided Monday that actor Alec Baldwin ‘s role as co-producer isn’t relevant to the involuntary manslaughter trial over a fatal shooting on the set of the Western film “Rust.” Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that evidence won’t be allowed at trial about Baldwin’s secondary role on the movie, siding with […]
How many fireworks complaints did the City receive this week?
Residents filed far fewer complaints about illegal fireworks on July 4th and the days leading up to it this year than they did last year — and there were significantly fewer outside fires. Lt. Jason Fejer, a spokesperson for Albuquerque Fire Rescue, said in a news release that all reports of illegal fireworks were routed […]
Why mass shootings and violence increase in the summer
By JOHN SEEWER Violence and mass shootings often surge in the summer months, especially around the Fourth of July, historically one of the deadliest days of the year. A flurry of shootings around the holiday a year ago left more than a dozen people dead and over 60 wounded. Just two years ago, another mass shooting at a […]
Law Offices of the Public Defender hit with cybersecurity attack
The Law Offices of the Public Defender — whose attorneys represent between 85% and 95% of the defendants in the state — was the victim of a cybersecurity attack last week. In a news release, a spokesperson for the offices said the attack has compromised access to critical internal records, as well as its ability […]
All NM police departments could report monthly gun violence stats under gov proposal
By Austin Fisher Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wants regular, statewide updates on gun violence from police departments across New Mexico. A two-page draft discussed with lawmakers last week would require all police departments in New Mexico to turn in monthly reports on criminal activity and ballistic information to the Department of Public Safety. The proposal […]
Prosecutor won’t oppose Trump sentencing delay in hush money case after high court immunity ruling
By JAKE OFFENHARTZ Manhattan prosecutors said Tuesday they would not oppose Donald Trump’s request to delay the sentencing in his hush money trial as he seeks to have the conviction overturned following a Supreme Court ruling that granted broad immunity protections to presidents. In a letter filed with the New York court, prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s […]
