New Mexicans rallied outside the San Juan County District Courthouse Tuesday, calling for a repeal of a state constitutional amendment they say is allowing too many violent offenders back on the street.
Senator Bill Sharer went so far as to call for the immediate resignation of Cheif Justice Charles Daniels…”Because Justice Daniels lobbied for this, he should resign today. It is not his job. He is not a lawmaker. He is not a lobbyist. He is a justice.“
REPORTED By KOB4 New Mexico – Sept 20 2017
‘Catch and release’ frustration continues to grow
AZTEC N.M — New Mexicans rallied outside the San Juan County District Courthouse Tuesday, calling for a repeal of a state constitutional amendment they say allowed a suspect to exit jail before a fatal officer-involved shooting.
With American flags and signs that read “stop catch and release,” protesters took to an Aztec street corner.
It doesn’t make me feel very safe to be in New Mexico,” said one San Juan County resident Diane Hathcock said.
Those behind the amendment say it’s meant to keep hardened criminals off the street and less dangerous offenders out of jail awaiting trial. But following the deadly officer-involved shooting in August, some are not convinced the amendment is working. The suspect, William Wilson, was shot and killed after opening fire on a New Mexico State Police officer during a traffic stop.
“What was on the ballot was certainly not what we got,” added San Juan County Sheriff Ken Christesen. “We got sold a bill of goods to keep violent and dangerous people in jail. And now we have to work twice as hard to keep in jail and at twice the cost.”
While protesters asked citizens to write to their legislators asking for a repeal of the amendment, one legislator is taking it a step further — calling for a resignation of New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Charles Daniels.
“Because Justice Daniels lobbied for this, he should resign today,” said state Sen. Bill Sharer, R-Farmington. “It is not his job. He is not a lawmaker. He is not a lobbyist. He is a justice.”
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
You’ve been LIED to New Mexico…NM Bail Reform is RECKLESS, DANGEROUS, and YOU are PAYING for it.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This is horrible!! I am so happy to see that not everyone is just lying down for this!! New Jersey where is your backbone?? We need to band together nationally to repeal this disgusting travesty of justice!!