I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Former Gov. Bill Richardson issued a statement Tuesday denying any pay-to-play in the selection of New Mexico District Court Judge Mike Murphy. A grand jury indicted Murphy Friday on third-degree felony charges relating to demanding or receiving a bribe.
Richardson said that “any suggestion” of judicial bribery “is outrageous and defamatory.”
“I appointed judges through an extensive process, including a thorough vetting first by the judicial nominating commission and then by my legal staff of the candidates that were nominated to me,” Richardson said in a statement released to several media outlets, though not The Independent. “I personally interviewed every candidate and appointed based on merit. I appointed 113 judges, including several Republicans, and the general consensus in the legal community is that we selected excellent judges who had to prove themselves to voters in elections.”
Prosecutors say that Murphy paid a bribe to Richardson to receive his judgeship. The alleged bribe may have come in the form of a campaign contribution to Richardson.
Current Gov. Susana Martinez issued a statement Monday about Murphy’s indictment.
“The indictment of a sitting judge on charges that he paid bribes for his judicial appointment and solicited bribes from another judicial candidate is deeply troubling,” Martinez said. “No one is above the law and this criminal defendant should not be given any special treatment.”
Martinez was a District Attorney before being elected governor.
