After lunching on pizza provided by the court, jurors in the murder trial of Marino Leyba, Jr, returned today with their verdict:

• Guilty of the first-degree murder of Sarah Lovato

• Guilty of the first-degree murer of Bennie Ray Lovato, Sr

• Guilty of aggravated burglary

• Guilty of tampering with evidence

Leyba’s sentencing, set for some time after July 4, will be little more than a formality: The murder convictions automatically result in two life terms of imprisonment. However, because this is a capital case, the verdict is automatically appealed to the New Mexico Supreme Court, according to defense attorney Gary Mitchell.

The jurors’ verdict, Mitchell tells SFR, is “classic New Mexico…We haven’t caught up with the science [of mental health].”

Linda Lovato, Sarah’s mother and Bennie’s ex-wife, told reporters that she felt justice was served.

“I’m glad it’s over, and I think the family has closure now,” Santa Fe Police Detective Tony Trujillo, who investigated the murders, told SFR.

For background on the case, read this SFR cover story, and this follow-up. For previous days’ trial coverage, click here.

–

For background on the case, read this SFR cover story, and this follow-up. For previous days’ trial coverage, click here.

–

The prosecution and defense made their closing arguments today, and the jury began its deliberations. Jurors told District Judge Michael Vigil that they’d convene until 5:30 pm tonight, then reconvene Friday morning, April 30.

Jury instructions handed down today made it clear that the defense hoped for a conviction of voluntary manslaughter—rather than first- or second-degree murder—based on Reno Leyba’s diminished mental capacity. (The consequences are explained in today’s SFR.)

Continue reading »

This week’s paper features an interview with Daniel Gonzales, the bar manager and “master mixologist” at the Hotel St. Francis’ Secreto Lounge. Gonzales recently won the annual Shake it Up! mixology competition in Las Vegas, Nev. Below: the winning recipes.

Daniel Gonzales mixes up a Spicy Secreto.

Spicy Secreto

1 1/2 oz Cabana cachaça (have you seen their ads?)

3/4 oz St Germain elderflower liqueur

2 slices jalapeño

2 slices cucumber

2 oz fresh sour mix

New Mexico red chile powder

Muddle jalapeño, cucumber and 1 oz fresh sour. Rim a tall glass with red chile powder. Add the remaining liquid ingredients, shake and double strain over ice. Garnish with two green chile chopsticks.

Continue reading »

In addition to the quick bios published in this week’s “Replacebook,” SFR spoke with each candidate for Lieutenant Governor at length. We’ve tried to keep the transcripts short and snappy enough that you’ll make it through all eight…

José Campos (D), 48, restaurateur

SFR: What are two things Diane Denish did as Lt. Gov. that you’d have done differently?

JC: That’s an interesting question. I don’t think I would have done much different. There were critical issues she had to deal with…Now that our situation has changed, we need somebody focusing more on economic development.

How would you do that?

I would be pushing to complete the transmission authority so renewable energy can take off and create new, better-paying jobs ASAP. We’re not going to create jobs just for the sake of creating jobs; we’re going to be moving into a new industry of creating renewable power and utilizing that power within the state but also as an export to Arizona and California. That is going to bring billions of dollars back into the state of New Mexico. It’s a whole new economic opportunity for the state of New Mexico. If we don’t do it in the next four years, we will lose opportunity for the next 40. Continue reading »

“Reno” Leyba’s cross-examination by Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Hill continued this morning. See a video excerpt of his testimony below.

Reno also testified that he was unsure whether the child in Sarah Lovato’s womb was his own.

Today’s schedule will be filled with testimony from forensic psychologist Eric Westfried, who will speak to Reno’s impaired mental ability. This morning, Westfried mentioned that Reno had “minimized” memories of childhood abuse.

For background on the case, read this SFR cover story, and this follow-up. For previous days’ trial coverage, click here.