Capitol riot trial opens for Cowboys for Trump founder
WASHINGTON (AP) — An elected official from New Mexico is set to be the second person tried on charges stemming from the U.S. Capitol riot. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., will hear testimony without a jury for Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin's trial Monday. Griffin is charged with illegally entering Capitol grounds the day a pro-Trump mob disrupted certification of Joe Biden's presidential election victory. Griffin is not accused of entering the Capitol or engaging in violence or destruction Jan. 6, 2021. Griffin's lawyers says he peacefully led a prayer on the Capitol steps. A jury this month convicted a Texas man of storming the Capitol in the first trial for a riot defendant.
Albuquerque police fatally shoot a man after an altercation
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque say officers have fatally shot a man after an altercation. They say officers responded to the scene around 5 p.m. Saturday after 911 calls about a man walking around with a gun and allegedly pointing the weapon at people and cars. Police Chief Harold Medina says officers tried to talk to the man but there was an altercation that escalated. The name and age of the man who died wasn't immediately released by police.
2 dead, 7 injured in Interstate 40 rollover in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say two people have died and seven others injured in a car crash in Albuquerque on Interstate 40. They say it appears alcohol, speed and the amount of people inside of the vehicle were all factors in the rollover. City fire and rescue crews were dispatched around 3 a.m. to reports of a rollover on freeway underpass. They say a male and a female were pronounced dead at the scene. Of the seven injured who were rushed to hospitals, authorities say five were in critical condition and two others had minor injuries. They say it appears the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control. The vehicle rolled and hit a concrete pillar.
Police identify man accused of stabbing on Albuquerque train
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities have identified a man suspected of stabbing a passenger and a security guard on a commuter rail train in Albuquerque and also injuring another passenger. City police say the two people stabbed were taken to a hospital and one was listed in critical condition. Police say 33-year-old Luis Sanchez was arrested in connection with the Saturday afternoon incident on a Rail Runner train and he's facing several charges. Rail Runner officials say the suspect got into an argument with another male passenger as the train traveled between stations. As security attempted to escort him off, police say Sanchez allegedly stabbed a security guard and a woman and slashed another woman on one of her shoulders.
Albuquerque: 2 stabbed, 3rd slashed on train; man arrested
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say officers on Saturday arrested a man who allegedly stabbed or slashed two other passengers and a security guard on a commuter rail train. A police statement said two people stabbed were taken to a hospital, one in critical condition. It wasn't immediately clear whether the person in critical condition was the security guard or the passenger who was stabbed. Police said another passenger was slashed on a shoulder and went with family to seek medical attention. The police said officers arrested a suspected attacker a short time later. No identities were released, and no additional information was immediately available.
Texas crash latest tragedy for family of young driver, dad
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Authorities investigating a fiery head-on crash in Texas don't know why a 13-year-old boy was driving while his father sat in the passenger seat. Their pickup truck crossed into the oncoming lane Tuesday and collided with a passenger van, killing nine people. The teen who has not been identified died in the crash along with his father, Henrich Siemens, and six members of a New Mexico college golf team and their coach. Investigators say the truck's left front tire, which was a spare, blew out before impact. It's the latest tragedy for the family of the father and son, of Seminole, Texas. Community members first rallied around them in October, when a fire destroyed their home.
Cowboys for Trump co-founder charged with campaign violation
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico elected official is facing a misdemeanor charge for refusing to register the political group Cowboys for Trump. Democratic Attorney General Hector Balderas announced the charge Friday evening. Couy Griffin sued the New Mexico secretary of state in 2020 in response to mounting pressure on Cowboys for Trump to register as a political committee. A federal appeals court last month rejected his arguments. Balderas says that leaves Griffin out of compliance with court orders to register the political group. Griffin says he's working on a new challenge to the reporting requirement and expects to win.
New Mexico governor seeks economic relief in special session
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling for a special legislative session the first week of April. The Democrat announced Friday that she wants lawmakers to consider providing economic relief to New Mexicans as inflation persists and gas prices remain high. The announcement will avoid an election year conflict after fellow Democrats denounced her recent veto of a $50 million wish-list for community projects. The bill contained funding for law enforcement, senior centers, courts and other needs. Democrats and Republicans had threatened to unite and call an extraordinary session to override her veto. Republican leaders said Friday that tax rebates approved during the last session won't be enough to counter rising prices.