Judge gives deadline on procedure decision

The attorney representing a defendant in the 2014 city park stabbing death of a Clovis woman has until March 8 to give the court direction on how his client wishes to proceed.

District Court Judge Drew Tatum issued the order during a status hearing Tuesday for Matthew Jennings.

Jennings is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Ariel Ulibarri.

Ulibarri was found stabbed to death along the Goodwin Lake Walking Trail on Nov. 9, 2014. Police said she was out for a walk with her 6-year-old son when she was killed.

Jennings appeared via phone from a Las Vegas, New Mexico, hospital while his attorney, Stephen McIlwain, also participated via phone.

“We wanted this hearing because we received the court’s ruling the defendant was competent to stand trial,” said District Attorney Andrea Reeb, who is representing the state. “In our opinion, that also makes him competent to decide whether he wants to take a plea in this matter or go to trial.

“As things get closer to the trial date, I wanted to specifically have this hearing to have the court hear from the defense counsel. We are still prepared to offer him a plea to the life sentence and dismiss the tampering (charge). Some individuals just want to take a plea and take responsibility.”

Tatum agreed with Reeb’s assessment of the matter.

“Whatever his (Jennings) wishes are, we can go from there,” said Tatum, who said a continuance is not feasible. “If he wishes to go to trial, we can go to trial. If he wishes to go to trial with an insanity defense, we can make arrangements on an expedited basis to get him evaluated in Las Vegas. If he wishes to enter a plea, we can get that set. We need to know what your client’s wishes are,” Tatum told McIlwain.

McIlwain, who said there have been preliminary discussions about a psychological evaluation of Jennings, consented with the order and said he would discuss the matter with his client.