DWI cases dropped as FBI probe targets Abq. officers
Demons wrestler chooses actions over words
MUST-WINS FOR UNM Webber: Lobos cannot afford to stumble
LOCAL & REGION, A-6
SPORTS, B-1
SPORTS, B-1
Locally owned and independent
Saturday, January 20, 2024 santafenewmexican.com $1.50
Baldwin indicted again on manslaughter charge By Phaedra Haywood
phaywood@sfnewmexican.com
The on-again, off-again criminal prosecution of Alec Baldwin is on again. A Santa Fe grand jury has indicted the actor and producer on a count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the October 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Hutchins died after being struck by a bullet that came from a gun held by Baldwin during a rehearsal for the film Rust at the Bonanza Creek Ranch out-
side Santa Fe. Baldwin is the film’s star and producer. The same bullet wounded director Joel Souza, striking him in the shoulder after it exited her body. The fourth-degree Alec Baldwin felony charge carries a basic sentence of 18 months. Baldwin is charged under two theories: involuntary manslaughter by negligent use of a firearm or involuntary
manslaughter “without due caution or circumspection,” according to the indictment filed Friday in state District Court in Santa Fe. This is the second time Baldwin has been criminally charged in connection with the incident. The same charges — filed against him in January 2023 by District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies — were dismissed in April by special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason Lewis, citing a need for further investigation. Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and
Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel, said in an email Friday, “We look forward to our day in court.” By most accounts, Hutchins’ death was caused by the mistaken commingling of live rounds and dummy ammunition on the set, which the prosecution characterized early in the case as reckless negligence that justified criminal charges against assistant director David Halls, Baldwin and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Halls pleaded no contest in March to a charge of negligent use of a deadly
weapon as part of a deal that called for him to serve six months of probation. Gutierrez-Reed is scheduled to go to trial next month. The state dismissed the original involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April “without prejudice,” meaning it could be refiled. The on-again, off-again nature of the criminal case against Baldwin seems to be connected in part to shifting theories about the condition of the gun Baldwin Please see story on Page A-4
Panhandling limits panned S.F.’s 2022 audit
shows resolution of some problems
Advocates for homeless people say governor’s call to ban practice risks causing greater harm
Auditors still fault city over issues with payroll, delays in federal grants
track to resolving its ongoing audit issues. City Manager John Blair said in a By Carina Julig statement he cjulig@sfnewmexican.com “couldn’t be more proud of The city of Santa Fe’s audit John Blair our Finance for the 2022 fiscal year shows Department” it resolved some of its proband those who “fixed the longlems from previous years, but standing issues the City’s faced several continued — including with completing timely financial issues with its internal financial audits.” reporting system and its process for tracking expenditures from Finance Director Emily Oster federal grants. said the audit report is “good The audit report, submitted to news” for the city. the State Auditor’s Office in early “Two audits in less than six December, about a year past its months is really fast, and the due date, was published on the results are encouraging,” she said. state agency’s website Thursday. The two significant deficien“We’re just glad that they got it cies cited in the report involved in, and we’re looking forward to the payroll process and delays in getting their 2023 [audit] in,” said submitting financial and perforChristopher Hall, a spokesman mance reports for federal grants for the Office of the State Auditor. on a timely basis. An independent firm listed 17 During testing of the payroll findings in the audit, including process, the report said, one out two significant deficiencies and of 25 timesheets had not been six material weaknesses. That approved because the supervisor compares with 22 findings in the was not available at the time, city’s 2021 audit and 21 in 2020. which could result in fraudulent From 2021 to 2022, 10 of the find- payroll activity. ings were resolved, and 12 were The city said it is working carried over. with the Human Services and The 2022 audit was dubbed Information Technology departunmodified, or “clean,” which ments to ensure all timecards means the auditing firm believes have a backup approver and that the financial statements submitrepeated failures to comply will ted by the city are accurate. come with disciplinary action. The city lauded the opinion in When it comes to federal a Friday afternoon news release, awards, the audit said the city in which officials said the finddoes not have sufficient controls ings show the city is improving Please see story on Page A-4 from previous years and is on
PHOTOS BY GABRIELA CAMPOS/THE NEW MEXICAN
Sean Baity holds a cardboard sign in the median of St. Francis Drive near Cerrillos Road on Thursday. “It’s a matter of free speech and peaceful protest,” said the 45-year-old California-born painter, who has been in New Mexico about a year. “All you’re doing is protesting that you don’t have a home and money.”
By Gabrielle Porter
LEGISLATURE
gporter@sfnewmexican.com
L
ori Sena stood in the median of Paseo de Peralta late Thursday morning, holding out a cardboard sign that read, “Help us, please.” She occasionally stepped toward drivers who stopped at the light on St. Francis Drive and held money out their windows for her. Sena was hoping to get enough money to buy food for herself, her husband and her dog, Reina. Typically, they can get by on $20 to $50 per day, according to the 40-year-old, who grew up just around the corner on Alto Street. If she gets a little extra, Sena said, they sometimes stay in a motel.
Lori Sena’s dog, Reina, stands beside her owner as Sena asks passing drivers for money so she can buy food for them and Sena’s husband. Reina not only provides Sena with companionship but also protection while she is out asking for donations.
THE 2024 SESSION
INSIDE u Redistricting debate moves to state Senate. PAGE A-7 u N.M. Democrats call for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war. PAGE A-6 u Senate Republicans fire back at oil and gas bill. PAGE A-6
Pasapick
“It’s been harder and harder,” she said. “... People can be very mean.” Sena is one of many New Mexicans who would be affected by a statewide crackdown on panhandling Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham proposed and urged lawmakers to consider earlier this week during her annual State of the State address. The governor referred to panhandling as a safety risk. “We have one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the entire country and a
Today Mostly cloudy. High 46, low 29.
pasatiempomagazine.com
New Mexico Museum of Art opening Ways of Seeing: Four Photographic Collections, mid20th century photographs; through June 16; 107 W. Palace Ave., 505-476-5072. More events Fridays in Pasatiempo
Please see story on Page A-4
PAGE A-10
Obituaries Ernest Montoya, 88, Santa Fe, Jan. 12 Lisa Michelle Murphy, 62, Santa Fe, Jan. 6 Loyhannah Walker, Santa Fe, Jan. 5 PAGE A-8
WOME N’S MARCH IN SANTA FE
No march? No matter, movement leaders say By Gabrielle Porter
gporter@sfnewmexican.com
Not everybody making their first foray into political organizing winds up with a 10,000- to 15,000-person event on their hands. That’s what happened to Lindsay Conover. Seven years ago, riding a wave of progressive frustration after former President Donald Trump’s 2016 election, she organized the first Santa Fe Women’s March, held
Index
Classifieds B-6
Comics B-9
the day after his Jan. 20, 2017, inauguration, joining demonstrators who turned out by the millions for similar marches across the country, including in Washington, D.C. Based on followers on the event’s Facebook page, Conover thought 3,000 or 4,000 people might show up to march around the city before rallying outside the Roundhouse. But that chilly morning, nearly five times
that number turned out, many donning pink hats and waving signs with messages supporting civil rights. “I just was overwhelmed at the turnout, quite frankly,” Conover said of the local event. Marchers said in particular they were Please see story on Page A-4
Lindsay Conover of Santa Fe, organizer of the first Women’s March in Santa Fe, stands Friday at the state Capitol. LUIS SÁNCHEZ SATURNO/THE NEW MEXICAN
Crosswords B-6, B-9
Design and headlines: John R. Roby, jroby@sfnewmexican.com
Local & Region A-6
Lotteries A-2
Opinion A-9
Religion B-5
Sports B-1
Time Out B-9
Main office: 505-983-3303 Late paper: 505-986-3010 News tips: 505-986-3035
175th year, No. 20 Publication No. 596-440