Solomon Peña to remain in jail until his trial
The man accused of orchestrating shootings at four elected officials' homes in Albuquerque — will stay in jail.
In a hearing held via video conference Monday, Judge David Murphy said, “Based on the totality of the evidence provided by the state. I do find that by clear and convincing evidence that there are no release conditions that would reasonably protect the safety of this community from Solomon Peña."
State's prosecutor Natalie Lyon said Solomon Peña arguing to keep Peña behind bars because of his criminal record.
Lyon said, "The defendant was found guilty at trial on Nov. 19, 2002, receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property."
"Some verdicts on Dec. 1, 2008, to quite a number of felony charges burglary, larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, conspiracy to commit burglary."
Peña's attorney defended his character. explaining to the judge that he has had no violent convictions since 2007 and remained a model citizen after being released from jail for a previous offense.
Roberta Yurcic said, “Mr. Peña has not had any contact with the criminal justice system. between 2007 and 2023. There were at least seven years where Mr. Peña was out in the community. he completed his bachelor's degree. He purchased a home. He was working a regular job.”
In the end, the judge sided with the state.
District Attorney Sam Bregman released a statement after the judge's ruling.
"Our office is pleased he will remain in custody after the court found Peña to be a danger to the community. we look forward to bringing justice to the victims."
Police say Peña paid four people to fire shots at the homes of four democratic lawmakers in Albuquerque between December and early this month.
Peña ran for state House District 14 as a Republican and lost in November to his Democratic Party opponent Miguel Garcia.
Police say Peña later called the election rigged.