By Sharna_Johnson: CNJ staff writer
Jail and Bail event raises $15,000 for March of Dimes
September 20, 2007
CNJ staff A March of Dimes Jail and Bail event Wednesday at Leal’s Mexican Restaurant raised $15,000 in donations. Business and community leaders were “jailed” for an hour. Bail was paid through donations. The average bail was about $450, according to Tina Tilton, community director for March of Dimes. The funds go toward the fight […]
Police: Portales man out on bail after shooting
February 17, 2007
Freedom Newspapers A 22-year-old Portales man is out on bail after being arrested Friday for shooting at an occupied motor vehicle in Portales, according to a press release from the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s office. Ollie Fitts admitted to firing four shots from a 22-caliber rifle Thursday night at Marcus Martin, who was driving a 2002 […]
Bail bondsman acquitted in shooting
October 3, 2006
By Marlena Hartz: CNJ staff writer o Jury agrees bail bondsman was acting in self-defense. The wife, daughter and an employee of a Clovis bondsman accused of crimes against a suspected bail jumper linked hands outside the Curry County Courthouse and huddled shoulder to shoulder, relieved. A jury found Clovis bail bondsman Hank Bayless not […]
Shooting trial to begin Monday
September 24, 2006
CNJ Staff The jury trial for a Clovis bail bondsman accused of shooting a bail jumper in the back a year ago is scheduled to begin Monday, according to court records. Henry “Hank” Bayless, 64, is accused of shooting Javier Sanchez on Sept. 20, 2005, while trying to take him into custody for failing to […]
Missing Clovis inmate captured
August 19, 2006
CNJ staff A Curry County inmate who disappeared while on medical furlough more than seven weeks ago was captured by a local bail bondsman Friday night and returned to jail. Christina Snell of Hanks Bail Bonds said she spotted Phillip Littlefield riding in a car in the area of 14th and Prince streets around 6 […]
Bail bondsman indicted for battery
October 7, 2005
Freedom Newspapers Clovis bail bondsman Hank Bayless was indicted Friday by a Curry County grand jury for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and breaking and entering, according to a press release from the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s office. Bayless, 63, is accused of shooting Javier Sanchez, 33, and […]
Clovis bail bondsman faces grand jury investigation
October 4, 2005
By Andy Jackson: CNJ staff writer A Clovis bail bondsman faces a grand jury investigation for his role in a Sept. 20 shooting that injured two people, according to 9th Judicial District Attorney Matthew Chandler. Chandler said the purpose of the investigatory grand jury is to determine if there is probable cause to file charges. […]
Charges pending in bond shooting
September 22, 2005
By Andy Jackson: CNJ staff writer District Attorney Matt Chandler said he will decide today whether to file charges against a Clovis bail bondsman involved in shooting two people — including a co-worker — while attempting to revoke a bond. Hank Bayless of Hank’s Bail Bonds shot Christina Snell and suspected bail-jumper Javier Sanchez, Chandler […]
Bail revocation ends in shooting injuries
September 21, 2005
By Andy Jackson: CNJ staff writer A Clovis bail bond employee and a suspected bail-jumper suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds Tuesday. Crystal Snell of Hank’s Bail Bonds was shot in the leg and Javier Sanchez, 33, in the lower back about 10 a.m. in the 300 block of Gaylord, according law enforcement officials. Both were shot […]
Garcia, Melody
July 7, 2004
Melody Garcia Services: Have been held. Melody Pennington Garcia, 43, of Fort Sumner, died Friday, June 4, 2004, in Fort Sumner. She was born on Aug. 23, 1960, in Fort Sumner, to Luther and Lavinia Sullivan Pennington. She was raised and attended schools in Fort Sumner. She made her home in Florida for several years […]
Vehicular homicide trial begins Monday
January 25, 2004
Cops and Courts 1/25 Melrose resident Harry L. Downey, 70, faces a five-day jury trial beginning Monday on vehicular homicide charges related to the July 31, 2001, death of Anna Beth Austin. Court documents filed by special prosecutor Thomas Rutledge in Curry County District Court also accuse Downey of being intoxicated and driving on the […]
DA opts for closed grand jury hearings in child-sex cases
October 9, 2003
By Darrell Todd Maurina Three people accused of involvement with a group that engaged in sex with preteen girls won’t face preliminary hearings this week. Instead, the district attorney’s office has opted to conduct closed grand jury hearings in their cases. Under New Mexico law, district attorneys have several methods to present evidence showing probable […]
America losing more liberties to terrorism
September 16, 2003
Freedom Newspapers America needs to continue fighting terrorism without endangering our essential liberties. Unfortunately, President Bush is pressing for even greater police powers than those granted in the USA Patriot Act passed in haste after the 9-11 attacks in 2001. In a speech Sept. 10 before the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., the president called […]
