Possibly the best-attended Senate committee meeting ever.

Among other exciting events today at the Roundhouse, the Senate Public Affairs Committee is discussing bills concerning DWI, domestic violence, HIV, gangs and sex offenders. Evidently, these are things people care about, because it’s standing room only in here.

2:45 pm: The committee is discussing Sen. Peter Wirth’s (D-Santa Fe) SB 4, which limits DWI plea agreements. A slew of Santa Fe teens have testified in favor, as have officials from MADD and the state Department of Transportation. So far, the only opposition’s been from Tony Ortiz of the New Mexico Sentencing Commission and Ousama Rasheed from the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Continue reading »

The Heart of Santa Fe Press Conference

11 am-2 pm
Thursday, Dec. 10

Free

Warehouse 21
1614 Paseo de Peralta
989-4423

This Thursday, Dec. 10, Santa Feans will come together again in memory of the four teens killed in the DWI car accident on June 27. The victims are to be honored with the release of The Heart of Santa Fe, a 2-CD, 28-song collection from musicians all around Santa Fe. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit the Warehouse 21 music and media arts programs, including a program that raises awareness about the perils of drinking and driving.

At a press conference, members of the media and the community are invited to come out to learn more about the CD from organizers and musicians and to hear Mayor David Coss designate Dec. 10, 2009 “Heart of Santa Fe Day.”

Below the jump, check out a track listing of the collection. Styles run the gamut from salsa to jazz, and the contributors read like a “Who’s Who” of the diverse Santa Fe music scene—and it looks amazing, in our humble opinion. Continue reading »

SFR was present at the First Judicial District Courthouse when the verdict in the long, arduous Carlos Fierro case was returned. Last November, the prominent 36-year-old Santa Fe attorney struck and killed William Tenorio outside of what was then WilLee’s Blues Club.

Fierro stood accused of vehicular homicide and one count of an accident involving death or injury. The vehicular homicide charge was returned as guilty, and the jury hung 11 to 1 on the charge of leaving the scene of an accident.

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety has reviewed its case file on WilLee’s Blues Club and determined that investigators were correct to issue citations to the liquor license holder and a bartender for over-serving attorney Carlos Fierro—despite Fierro’s testimony this week that he had not had a drop to drink at WilLee’s.

Previously, Journal North reported that the state police planned to review the case following the testimony. Now, Department of Public Safety spokesman Peter Olson says that the citations will stand.

“We reviewed the file supporting the initial the two citations–one to the bartender, one to the liquor license holder–and determined there was sufficient information and evidence in our case in the file to proceed with the hearings on the two administrative citation,” Olson says.

Fierro is accused of killing William Tenorio with his car while driving drunk. Since the state did not cite Rio Chama, a bar where Fierro was at earlier that night in November, SFR asked whether DPS’ position was that Fierro committed perjury in his testimony.

“All I can say is that based on our investigation at the time, we feel that there was enough evidence then to issue those citations and, after review of the file, to continue,” Olson reiterated.

SFR has left a message with First Judicial District Attorney Angela “Spence” Pacheco’s office to see whether, regardless of the jury’s verdict (expected soon), she will file perjury charges against Fierro.

Updated, Oct 1, 10:20am: Pacheco says she can’t comment on the case. She said to call back once there’s a verdict.

Three days in the pokey for a first offense, plus a $2,500 fine: That’s Gov. Bill Richardson’s proposal, a response to the public’s renewed focus on drunk driving, a problem that just hasn’t seemed to get better.

The press release from Richardson’s office says the tougher penalties are “designed to deter first time drunk drivers.” (Read the full release after the cut.)

Judges tend to dislike mandatory minimum sentences. But public sentiment—however hypocritical it may be—might support a law-and-order approach like this. It’ll be interesting to see where this proposal goes.

Continue reading »