Sheriff puts justice system on blast following Farmington shooting
(reported by KOB4 – New Mexico)
Following an officer-involved shooting Sunday in Farmington that sent a New Mexico State officer to the hospital after being shot by a repeat violent offender, the San Juan County Sheriff is saying it all happened because of a state constitutional amendment.
“Absolutely it did,” Sheriff Ken Christesen said. “And it put not just officers that have to conduct business with these people at risk, but it also put the citizens at risk.”
The amendment passed by voters last year was supposed to keep poor people from staying locked up while awaiting trial. But Christesen says the tool being used by judges to decide bond is putting dangerous people back on the streets.
“We voted for it thinking we were going to get hardened criminals off the street, dangerous criminals off the street,” he said. “What is happening is just the opposite.”
He’s not alone in his frustration. Others in the community back the sheriff, including Marc Broadway.
“When they are in cuffs and orange jumpsuits and then they are smiling as they are walking out of court,” Broadway said. “Something is wrong with that, you know? There is no remorse on their part at all.”
The sheriff said people need to take their concerns to lawmakers.
“I’m calling for the citizens of every county and every city to stand up against this catch-and-release system that they put in place,” Christesen said.