Death at Taos News echoes fear over execution risk
Taos County Sheriff elect Charlie Martinez vows tight security for two men held on death row in New Mexico as arraignments loom. State records show one execution since 1960, Nelson, amid debates over capital punishment and a tied case load in Colfax County.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Taos
New Mexico Department of Corrections
David Cooper Nelson
Santa Fe
Nelson
Valencia County
California
Texas
Nevada
Sandoval
Acosta
Paternoster
Colfax County
Eighth Judicial District
Augustine Granado
Granado
Gary Mitchell
Ruidoso
Sanchez
Suspects tied to gorge bridge death face past violence
Sandoval and Acosta, linked to the gorge bridge death, have violent histories including Sandoval’s 1997 beating of his wife and child abuse convictions. Probed by Cr ispin Roaque, Sandoval received a near four year probation in 1998 for abuse of a child and aggravated battery. Neighbors describe mixed impressions as Taos Sheriff-elect Martinez notes the pain of victims.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sandoval
Taos County
Rodarte
Espafiola Valley Hospital
Tomas
Benavidez
Acosta
Taos
Gorge Bridge
Smith’s
Charlie Martinez
Killers confession links stolen car to New Mexico murder
Martinez said Acosta confessed to stealing Sanchez's Pontiac with Sandoval after identifying the owner. The pair beat and strangled Sanchez and hurled him from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos, then fled in the car toward Espafiola. Police across New Mexico coordinated to capture both suspects with community and media support.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
National Criminal Information Center
Thoi
Luna County
United States
Martinez
Deming
Acosta
Palomas
Denver
Sanchez
Sandoval
Mexico
Espafiola
Pontiac
Taos
Rio Grande Gorge
Taos County
Also Mentioned on This Page
THE
Taos News
Megan Bowers
Erik Sanchez
Seraphim Classics
Chile
Visa Mastercard Discover
Adobe
Linda Calhoun
Sanyo Color
Panasonic Microwave
Canon
SureShot
Sony
Black & Decker
Magnavox
S. Plaza
Das
Jack Black
Snow Babies
N. Plaza
Taos Plaza
Thay
Waterford & Christopher Radio
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!