Quick Reads

Bill to end life sentences without parole for youth pulled amid pushback

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The so-called Second Chance bill will have no chance during this year’s legislative session. Sponsors of Senate Bill 43, which would’ve banned life without the possibility of parole as a sentencing option for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder, have pulled the proposed piece of legislation from consideration. “In the final week of the session, it has been frustrating to watch a chorus of voices drowned out by a handful of District Attorneys and other parties who have misrepresented this issue to victims of tragedy across our state,” the sponsors wrote in a joint statement. “We negotiated in good faith but the goalposts kept moving, and we cannot accept changes that undermine the intent of the bill.” The sponsors plan to bring the bring the bill back next year.

Criminal Justice & Public Safety

Victims’ families to Sanchez: vote on crime bills

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Family of victims of recent high profile crimes stepped up their pressure on the Senate, particularly Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, to allow votes on several high profile crime bills already passed by the House of Representatives. Nicole Chavez, the mother of slain teen Jaydon Chavez-Silver, implored Sanchez to bring the bills to the floor and said that his job as a criminal defense attorney was to blame for him not doing so. “I just want to urge him and all the Senators that we put in office to please pull up these laws, pull up these bills, make a vote,” Chavez told media during a Thursday afternoon press conference. “It’s time for change.”

Chavez and the parents of slain child Lilly Garcia delivered their remarks in front of two poster boards. One said, “Who we’re fighting for” and showed pictures of victims. The other said, “Who Michael Sanchez is fighting for” and showed pictures of repeat offenders that Sanchez’s law firm represented.

Albuquerque Police Department

Son of state representative arrested in killing of teen

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The son of a state representative from Albuquerque was arrested this weekend for the fatal shooting of a Manzano High School student. Donovan Maez, the 18-year-old son of state Rep. Stephanie Maez, D-Albuquerque, was charged with an open count of murder and other charges in the late June killing of Jaydon Chavez-Silver. Albuquerque police are looking to arrest others in connection to the killing, according to a press release from Officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman with the department. Police say that Donovan Maez and his friends were kicked out of a party at a house near Lomas and Tramway house after a “large fight” that occurred weeks before the fatal shooting. The complaint says he and friends returned on June 26 and fired a gun from a car into the kitchen window during a party.