A Prisoner’s Death, 3,000 Miles From Home

1-25-17 New Mexico:

Frank Pauline Jr.,, 42, died a sudden, violent death more than 3,000 miles from home.

It was April 2015, and the Hawaii resident was walking laps around the recreation yard of the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility when an assailant sneaked up behind him with a rock wrapped in a green shirt.

Three swift blows to the head with the rock, and Pauline was down on the ground, lying lifeless in a pool of blood.

Back in Hawaii, the news of Pauline’s death made big headlines, owing to his checkered history: In 1999, he was convicted in the kidnapping, rape and beating death of Dana Ireland — a notorious case on the Big Island that garnered much attention.

Details Released In Frank Pauline New Mexico Prison Death

5-19-15 New Mexico:

HAWAII – Officials have released documents detailing the alleged murder of a 42-year-old Frank Pauline Jr., found dead in a Las Cruces, New Mexico prison on April 27.

Inmate Daniel Hood confessed to the murder, New Mexico officials report. Hood has been charged with murder.

Pauline was serving a 180-year sentence for the 1991 kidnapping, rape and murder of 23-year-old Dana Ireland. He was transferred to the New Mexico prison from Hawaii in December 2012.

Man killed by deputy had threatened violence

6-10-15 New Mexico:

CENTENNIAL - A man who was fatally shot by a sheriff's deputy near Strasburg was a sex offender who, investigators say, recently commented that he would kill as many people as possible if there was the possibility of going back to jail.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office says 27-year-old Damien Ramirez, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was shot after a chase on Interstate 70 on Saturday.

Investigators say Ramirez, who had two active warrants for his arrest, carjacked an SUV and led authorities on a chase at speeds topping more than 100 mph while firing at officers.

Troopers stopped the chase by ramming the SUV and pushing it down an embankment. Investigators say Ramirez then ran into a field and was shot by an Adams County sheriff's deputy as he fired on officers. ..Source.. by 9News.com

Bloomfield man shot and killed by police was under investigation for child sexual assault

9-21-2014 New Mexico:

Search warrant sheds light on fatal, officer-involved shooting of John Rogers

AZTEC — The 61-year-old Bloomfield man shot by a police officer in late August was under investigation for multiple counts of criminal sexual penetration of minors at the time of his death, according to a search warrant affidavit.

Bloomfield Police Chief Randy Foster confirmed that John Rogers was under investigation by his department on suspicion of child sexual assault. He said that for legal reasons, he could not discuss the specifics of the case.

Jonathan Rogers, John Rogers' son, referred questions to the family's attorney, Brendan O'Reilly of Albuquerque. O'Reilly said he had no comment on the investigation.

The affidavit, issued Aug. 28 to investigators from the New Mexico State Police, sheds new light on the shooting of John Rogers at his home on 414 Ruth Lane.

Two officers from the Bloomfield Police Department were dispatched to the residence at 10:18 a.m. on Aug. 27, after receiving reports of a suicidal man.

Río Arriba Sheriff's Office files murder charge in death of Taos man

1-18-2013 New Mexico:

Río Arriba County Sheriff Tomas Rodella has announced the arrest of Kaiwee Martínez, 35, in the shooting death of Lawrence Sandoval, 33, of Taos.

According to information from the Sheriff's Office, Sandoval was killed Nov. 3, 2012 at Martínez' home in Alcalde.

"The defendant had told (Río Arriba Sheriff's Office) investigators that she shot Sandoval in self defense," a release from the office states.

According to the release, items entered into evidence underwent forensic analysis, and results of that analysis were received this week. Martínez was arrested without incident Thursday (Jan. 17) and booked into the Río Arriba County Detention Center in Tierra Amarilla, the release states, where she is being held on a $100,000, cash-only bond.

"We conducted a comprehensive, detailed investigation into Mr. Sandoval's homicide over the course of the (last) 10 weeks," Rodella is quoted as saying. "Early on, our investigation determined that the defendant's account of events preceding the shooting was not credible." ..Source.. by The TAOS News

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Investigators doubting claim in fatal NM shooting

12-7-2012 New Mexico:

Investigators appear to doubt the self-defense claim of an Alcalde woman who fatally shot a man inside her home last month.

The 35-year-old woman hasn't been charged in the case and the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office still is investigating.

The woman claims a man barged into her home Nov. 3 and tried to undress her at knife point.

She says she reached under a pillow, grabbed a loaded gun and shot 33-year-old Lawrence Sandoval of Taos and then fled from her home and called 911.

The Albuquerque Journal (http://bit.ly/XzzaiJ) reported Friday that police statements filed in the case indicate the woman gave differing versions of the events that led to the shooting.

But the woman's lawyer says his client "has nothing to hide" and "this is a self-defense situation." ..Source.. by The Daily Times