Warrant issued for Lubbock teen

Portales District Judge Donna Mowrer on Monday ordered an arrest warrant be issued for a Lubbock teen accused of vehicular homicide for failure to appear at his court date.

Jerry Nale, 18, was booked into Roosevelt County Detention Center in May after he was accused of fleeing Portales police in March and crashing the vehicle he was driving.

Trinity Jackson, 16, of Lubbock died in that incident.

Nale was released June 28 on a $5,000 bond.

Albuquerque attorney James Baiamonte, who represents Nale, told Mowrer via telephone conference Monday that Nale was aware of the court date, and he did not know why his client failed to appear.

“His failure to appear is surprising considering his cooperation in the past,” Assistant District Attorney Jake Boazman told Mowrer, adding that Nale has been cooperative with authorities in regard to any meeting or questioning.

The judge fulfilled a request by Boazman to have an arrest warrant issued due to Nale’s absence, saying another hearing would be set when he was located.

Baiamonte could not be reached for comment, and contact information for Nale could not be located.

Nale is charged with the following:

• Homicide by vehicle (reckless driving)

• Aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer

• Two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor

• Receiving or transferring stolen motor vehicles.