Police Scandal Raises Concerns for DWI Victims’ Families in New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Families of victims affected by DWI crashes are grappling with uncertainty as a major police corruption scandal unfolds, implicating nearly two dozen officers from Albuquerque Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police. The officers allegedly collaborated with a local defense attorney, Thomas Clear III, to dismiss DWI cases for financial gain.
This betrayal has left the integrity of the state’s legal system in question, jeopardizing countless cases involving substance-impaired drivers. “How could this go on since 1995 without anyone realizing?” mused Ahmad Assed, a local defense attorney and KOB legal expert. Meanwhile, Linda Atkinson from the DWI Resource Center lamented the false sense of security citizens felt, thinking the roads were safe.
Caroline Esquivel, whose granddaughter, Justice Gutierrez-Cruz, was killed by an impaired driver in 2020, expressed her distress over the situation. "It’s a damn shame," she said, reflecting on the loss of her granddaughter, who left behind a young son. Esquivel has become a vocal advocate, questioning the broader implications of the scandal on justice for victims like her family.
The case of Justice Gutierrez-Cruz, who was killed in a DWI crash, is now intertwined with the ongoing scandal as implicated officer Toby LaFave was involved in collecting evidence related to her tragic death. Prosecutors are now required to inform the defense about LaFave’s involvement, raising concerns about potential repercussions on the case, and perhaps many others.
Families like Esquivel’s now fear that the legitimacy of the justice system is at stake, asking the haunting question: how many more cases will be affected before solutions are found? As the scandal unfolds, the echoes of loss remain personal and profound, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and reform.
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