A federal appeals court will hear arguments over whether to overturn the conviction of a former New Mexico sheriff serving 10 years in prison for abusing a driver in a bizarre, off-duty traffic stop. Lawyers for ex-Rio Arriba County Sheriff Thomas Rodella will argue during a Tuesday hearing that the March 2014 traffic stop was legal. Rodella was convicted of brandishing a firearm and depriving a motorist of his rights in what prosecutors described as road rage. Prosecutors said Rodella pulled a gun on the motorist and struck him in the face with his badge because he cut him off in traffic. The motorist, Michael Tafoya, told jurors he feared for his life. Rodella's attorney wrote in court documents that improper jury instructions and some evidence that was permitted created an unfair trial.
Legislative analysts say New Mexico's economy shows some signs of recovery but continues to struggle compared with those of neighboring states and the country as a whole. Legislative Finance Committee staff is also indicating that "a lot has to go right" for a recent forecast projecting modest revenue growth for the next five years to hold. That forecast called for 293 million dollars of additional revenue in the next fiscal year, but the service said factors determining whether the forecast stands up over time include oil prices and China's economy. The service said the recovery from the Great Recession continues in slowly and unevenly, taking nine years to approach employment levels last seen in 2006. That's a slower recovery than those of the rest of the country and neighboring states.
It will be up to jurors to decide whether two utility companies should be held liable for a 2011 wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes as it raced across more than 240 square miles on its way to becoming one of New Mexico's largest blazes. Jury selection began Monday in Bernalillo before state District Judge Louis McDonald. The trial is expected to last six weeks. The Las Conchas fire started when an aspen tree fell onto power lines that stretched through national forest land in the Jemez Mountains. Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative operated and maintained the power lines. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Inc. provides the cooperative with electricity and is also named as a defendant. There are more than 300 plaintiffs in the case, including property owners and insurance companies.
Lawyers for an American Indian community in New Mexico are asking a federal appeals court to overturn a lower court ruling that blocked them from going through the U.S. Interior Department instead of the state for a gambling compact. Attorneys for Pojoaque (poh-WAH'-kay) Pueblo told the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday that the state didn't negotiate in good faith when they tried to draw up a new compact. A state lawyer told the court New Mexico officials have a right to make sure gambling is conducted on terms acceptable to the state. The appeals court didn't say when it would rule. Federal law requires tribes to have compacts with the state to operate casinos. Pojoaque's negotiations with New Mexico broke down in 2013 and its compact expired in June.
An Atlanta-based information technology services company plans to create 125 jobs in Albuquerque over the next few years. Governor Susana Martinez and Mayor Richard Berry announced Monday that Rural Sourcing Inc. will operate a new software development center in New Mexico's largest city, starting in January. The exact location hasn't been decided. Berry and Albuquerque's economic development president met with Rural Sourcing earlier this year to promote an expansion into New Mexico. The jobs will include software development, quality assurance testing, project management and analytics with salaries higher than average in Albuquerque. They also will have full benefits.` Martinez says the high-tech jobs will help grow and diversify New Mexico's economy.
The state Legislature's Indian Affairs Committee will conduct meetings this week on the Navajo Nation to discuss several topics, including plans for a senior citizen center and road conditions affecting school bus safety. The Daily Times reports that committee members on Wednesday will discuss the Upper Fruitland senior center, which had a groundbreaking ceremony last year. Progress has stalled on the building, and Upper Fruitland officials are expected to address ways to secure additional funding for construction. On Thursday, committee members will consider a report on the conditions of roads that serve as school bus routes. Other topics on this week's agenda include the San Juan Generating Station, the expansion of the Kirtland Youth Association facility and the Navajo Route 57 project.
Trash issues are making it a challenge for an Albuquerque shelter to keep pickup sites for homeless individuals and officials are looking to the city for help. KOAT-TV reports Joy Junction has had to stop using two sites due to the trash and mess left behind by some of the homeless individuals. Group founder Jeremy Reynalds says this public issue can't continue to be kicked down the road. Shelter officials planned to discuss options with city officials on Monday. The Civic Plaza and downtown library have been suggested as possible alternatives.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny both today and tomorrow with the high reaching 82.Tonight:Parlty cloudy with the overnight low, 55.