Michael Ortega, 29, was arrested on December 25 on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, criminal trespassing, and criminal damage to property.
On Christmas Day, Ortega rang the doorbell of a home on Mountain Road and immediately began attacking a man with a crowbar. Fortunately, family members were able to subdue Ortega, who was also in possession of a knife, until police arrived to take Ortega into custody.
Ortega was later released and FREE TO GO under NM Bail Reform after the Arnold Foundation’s “Pretrial Risk Assessment” tool determined that he was not a danger to the community or a flight risk and therefore should not be subject to any accountable release – just a “promise” to appear.
The release is the result of newly enacted Supreme Court guidelines orchestrated by Chief Justice Daniels that virtually eliminates accountable pretrial release and bail for criminal defendants.
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New Mexico Bail Reform, Risk Assessments, and Pretrial Services
- ZERO Accountability
- ZERO Deterrent
- ZERO Supervision
- ZERO concern for victims
- ZERO Bail…just a “pinky promise” to return
- Bail Reform – Dangerous, Reckless, and a Taxpayer Burden
RELATED:
Man arrested for allegedly attacking family on Christmas Eve
(reported by KOB4 Dec 25 2017)
An Albuquerque man is behind bars for violently disrupting a family gathering on Christmas Eve.
Police say Michael Ortega rang the doorbell of a home on Mountain Road Sunday night and immediately attacked a man with a crowbar when he opened the door.
Family members at the house were able to remove the crowbar and a knife from Ortega’s hands and held him down until officers arrived. Ortega told police he was looking for his grandmother and doesn’t remember attacking anybody.
You’ve been lied to New Mexico…
Bail Reform is reckless and dangerous – with zero regard for victims or criminal accountability.