THERE COULD BE A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF NEW MEXICO’S PRETRIAL DETENTION SYSTEM. THAT’S IF BERNALILLO COUNTY D-A RAUL TORREZ CAN GET A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSED REGARDING THE ISSUE. HE’S HOPING TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR DEFENDANTS ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES TO GET BACK ON THE STREETS RATHER THAN BEING HELD UNTIL TRIAL.
THE CURRENT SYSTEM HAS COME UNDER FIRE AFTER SEVERAL HIGH PROFILE CASES, MOST NOTABLY THE RECENT MURDER OF UNM BASEBALL PLAYER JACKSON WELLER WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY GUNNED-DOWN BY DARIAN BASHIR. BASHIR WAS OUT ON CONDITIONAL RELEASE CONNECTED TO ANOTHER SHOOTING CASE.
