THE CASE OF AN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING BY SANTA FE POLICE IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF ROSWELL-AREA D-A JANETTA HICKS. SHE EXPECTS TO HAVE A DECISION EARLY NEXT YEAR ON WHETHER OFFICERS JOHN DEBACA AND STEPHEN FONTE SHOULD FACE CHARGES IN THE NON-FATAL SHOOTING OF 25 YEAR OLD ROBERTO MENDEZ.
MENDEZ WAS SHOT IN THE CHECK IN AUGUST OF 2013 AT A CONVENIENCE STORE WHEN THE OFFICERS FIRED ON HIS SUV. THEY SAID THE SUV WAS BACKING UP ON THEM AND THEY HAD TO JUMP OUT OF THE WAY.
HICKS WAS HANDED THE CASE BY SANTA FE D-A ANGELA "SPENCE" PACHECO AFTER A GRAND JURY CONCLUDED THE SHOOTING WAS NOT JUSTIFIED.
