Clovis man convicted of attempted murder for attacking guards with shank

A Curry County jury has convicted Guadalupe Urquizo of attempted murder for an October 2008 attack against two detention officers at the jail.

The jury verdict was returned Wednesday after a one-day trial.

District Attorney Matt Chandler said Urquizo, 29, of Clovis, lunged at two guards with a sharpened seven-inch metal shank.

Urquizo still faces felony charges of aggravated battery upon a peace officer and one count of possession of a deadly weapon by a prisoner.

He was in jail awaiting trial on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a household member.

Chandler said the Oct. 24, 2008, attack on prison guards began when Urquizo was “unruly” during an appearance at Magistrate Court.

“He was held in contempt of court. When he went back to the detention center, he attempted to take a dispatch radio from one of the detention officers at lunch,” Chandler said.

“When two officers went back to remove his food tray, he attempted to explain his situation,” Chandler said. “At that time he brandished the shank and stabbed at the officers, causing some injuries requiring them to be transported to the hospital.”

Chandler said his office will seek the maximum sentence of 24 years for the incident at the jail.

Sentencing will take place within 90 days and Urquizo remains jailed at the Curry County Detention Center.

Andrea Reeb, chief deputy district attorney, handled the case for the prosecutuon.

Defense attorney Tom Harden didn’t return telephone calls.