- DEPUTY-LAWSUIT DISMISSED
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that accused a Bernalillo County sheriff's deputy of using excessive force in the shooting death of an Albuquerque man.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that while the judge ruled sanctions against deputy Charles Coggins were not merited, he found detectives' investigation into the shooting was inadequate.
A wrongful death lawsuit in the shooting was previously settled for $130,000 in state court.
Authorities say Coggins shot Miguel Gonzalez the morning of July 4, 2017, after seeing him in a vehicle with a stolen license plate, which prompted a chase.
Coggins says he opened fire when Gonzalez raised his arm, saying "get back or I'll shoot."
An attorney for the mother of Gonzalez's children raised concerns about multiple factors, including Coggins' belt tape. He says he couldn't make it work in time.
- MEDICAL MARIJUANA-SCHOOLS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Public school boards for two of the state's largest districts are preparing to review policy changes for students who have prescriptions for medical marijuana.
KOAT-TV reports that the Albuquerque Public Schools board is planning to review a draft policy Sept. 11 that would allow only parents to administer the drug to their children.
The Rio Rancho Public Schools board is expected to get its first look at a policy proposal at a meeting Monday.
State lawmakers this year passed a law allowing medical cannabis at schools. The school districts are developing policies on how to implement the law.
Matias Trujillo, an Albuquerque father whose son has epilepsy, says he is frustrated over how long it's taken the school districts to implement the law that took effect in June.
- NUKE REPOSITORY
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Officials say a major part of a multimillion-dollar effort to rebuild a ventilation system at the U.S. government's only underground nuclear waste repository is expected to be done by next year.
The Carlsbad Current Argus reports the U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded a contract for the construction of a utility shaft essential to the project. The shaft was designed with a 26-foot diameter, extending 2,275 feet underground.
The rebuilt system at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico is intended to add air to the underground and allow the placement of mining and other waste material to occur simultaneously.
The ventilation overhaul was prompted by a radiation release in 2014 that contaminated parts of the repository and forced its closure for nearly three years.
- FRAUD-NEW MEXICO ACCOUNTANT
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Federal court records show a New Mexico accountant faces charges stemming from accusations he defrauded two clients of more than $1 million.
Citing court documents, the Las Cruces Sun News reports a married couple had entrusted 61-year-old Thomas Laws, a certified public accountant in Silver City, with the money. He is accused of failing to invest it after accepting it in 2014.
The newspaper reports Laws is charged with wire fraud; transportation, transmission, and transfer of stolen money; fraud; and aggravated identity theft.
An attorney representing Laws could not be reached for comment on the Labor Day holiday.
Authorities say he used the couple's money to pay credit card debts, personal and business expenses, and meet obligations to other clients and investors.
- SPOUSE TESTIMONY-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's highest court has lifted a ban on testimony that stems from private conversations between spouses.
The state Supreme Court's ruling came in its decision to uphold the first-degree murder conviction of David Gutierrez, of Clovis. He is accused of killing a man in 2002.
A courts spokesman said in a statement Monday that Gutierrez had sought to block testimony from his ex-wife and second wife during his trial. While the court upheld his conviction, the "spousal communication privilege" remained in effect for his case.
The justices' decision Friday on spousal testimony applies to all criminal and civil cases moving forward.
Chief Justice Judith Nakamura said in a statement that "the privilege is a vestige of a vastly different society than the one we live in today."
- NEW MEXICO-DAVIE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico coach Bob Davie says he expects to fully recover after being rushed to an Albuquerque hospital moments after his team's season-opening victory over Sam Houston State on Saturday night.
School officials say the 64-year-old coach had "a serious medical incident" following the game but was doing well at the hospital by nightfall and surrounded by his family.
In a statement Sunday, Davie thanked the team's training room staff, first responders and University of New Mexico Hospital staff for their "swift and professional efforts during a critical time."
Davie says he "anticipates a full recovery thanks to the excellent care" he received.
New Mexico's next game is at Notre Dame on Sept. 14. Davie is a former Notre Dame coach who is in his eighth season leading New Mexico.
- OBIT-FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE DANIELS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say former New Mexico Chief Justice Charles Daniels has died.
Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura issued a statement Sunday on behalf of the state Supreme Court about Daniels' death, calling him "a titan of the law."
A cause of death wasn't immediately released, but the Albuquerque Journal reports the 76-year-old Daniels had been ill for several months.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says Daniels led New Mexico's highest court "with clarity and conviction, leaving a legacy rivaled by few."
Daniels was on the state Supreme Court from 2007 until his December 2018 retirement.
He was chief justice from 2010 to 2012 and from 2016 to 2017.
State Attorney General Hector Balderas called Daniels "a champion of fairness and equality."
Daniels is survived by his wife, four children and seven grandchildren.
- MEDAL OF HONOR-GOODBYE
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura, the son of Japanese immigrants who was awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War, may have given his last public lecture.
The Gallup Independent reports the ailing 94-year-old veteran spoke to a group of U.S. Navy Seabees last month in Gallup, New Mexico, about his life and service.
Miyamura spoke about the emotion he had seeing the American flag after he was liberated from a POW camp during the Korean War. The talks were part of the lectures he gives every summer to servicemen and servicewomen in western New Mexico.
Ken Riege, who travels around with Miyamura, says the veteran may not give the talks next year because of his declining health.
Miyamura served in the Army from 1945 to 1953.