Cops and courts: Three attorneys apply for open judge position

Three attorneys have applied for a newly created fifth judgeship position in the 9th Judicial District Court, according to the University of New Mexico Law School.

Frances Elizabeth Schmuck Lindsey, Albert Julian Mitchell Jr. and David P. Reeb Jr. have submitted applications for the position created by the 2006 State Legislature, the release said.

Persons wishing to comment can attend a public meeting at 9 a.m. July 7 conducted by the District Judicial Nominating at the Curry County Courthouse.

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A 44-year-old Clovis man was sentenced Friday to nine years in prison for throwing a pot of boiling water in his wife’s face and hitting her with a baseball bat during an argument in December 2004, according to a press release from the district attorney’s office.

Due to the violent nature of the crime, Alvin Gooden will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, according to the release.

In February, a jury found Gooden guilty of kidnapping and aggravated battery. As a result of the kidnapping charges, Gooden will be required to register as a sex offender, the release said.

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The New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission has appointed Lori D. Hartley of Texico and Debra Hicks of Hobbs to hold two of eight non-lawyer positions on the commission, according to a press release.

Hartley is an active community volunteer who serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Clovis.

Hicks is a professional engineer and has served as the president of civil engineering firm Pettigrew and Associates for 16 years and volunteers with many organizations and clubs in Hobbs.

The commission was established by the state Supreme Court in 1997 “to improve the performance of New Mexico’s judges and provide useful, credible information to voters on judges standing for retention elections,” the release said.

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Arrest warrants are being sought for three juveniles after the decapitated head of a goose was found May 19 on the porch of a local resident, according to a police report.

The following day the mutilated and battered bodies of two geese were found near a dumpster at the residence.

Charges are being filed for criminal trespass, assault, cruelty to animals and larceny — for theft of the geese, considered to be city property, according to the report.

An officer was dispatched to Dennis Chavez Park on May 19 in reference to three juveniles “beating up” a duck, the report said.

Three male suspects told the officer they had tried to visit a friend, who was not home. The officer noted what appeared to be blood and feathers on their clothing. The suspects told the officer it was barbecue sauce, the report said.

An adult resident at the home where the goose head was found told the police the suspects were harassing her 16-year-old son, the report said.

Cops and Courts is compiled by CNJ staff writer Sharna Johnson. She can be contacted at 763-6991 or:

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