Judge rules in favor of siblings injured in library shooting

CLOVIS — A district judge ruled Monday for a default judgment in favor of two siblings who were injured in a shooting nearly three years ago at the Clovis-Carver Public Library.

The judgment came after the primary defendant did not appear for court procedures.

Fifth Judicial District Judge Jane Shuler Gray issued the judgment for siblings Alexis and Noah Molina, who filed a civil suit last year against William Jouett for medical treatment compensation in connection with the Aug. 28, 2017, shooting that claimed the lives of librarians Kristina Carter and Wanda Walters and injured the Molinas and two others.

William Jouett is the grandfather of Nathaniel Jouett, who pleaded guilty to 30 felony charges in February 2019 in connection to the shooting. He is serving two concurrent life sentences — defined in New Mexico as 30 years before the possibility of parole — followed by another 40 years in prison.

The civil suit is filed against William Jouett, Christopher Jouett (Nathaniel’s father) and Clovis Counseling Center’s Eric Banagay, but only William Jouett is referenced in the Monday ruling.

The two-page ruling indicates William Jouett failed to appear for proceedings and failed to answer on or before the appearance date in the summons he was served.

The ruling by Shuler Gray indicates a hearing will be held later to determine the amount of damages, interests and costs owed to the plaintiffs.

Shuler Gray was assigned to the case in December after every judge in the local 9th Judicial District recused themselves.

The original lawsuit alleged the defendants knew Nathaniel Jouett had a history of mental problems and violent outbursts, and that he had access to a collection of guns at Christopher Jouett’s home, but failed to act on that knowledge and protect the Molinas and the general public. One of the guns in question was given to the family by William Jouett.

According to court documents, Noah Molina was shot once and Alexis Molina four times while shielding her younger brother.

A number listed for William Jouett was out of service on Tuesday. A call placed to Molina attorney Benjamin Herrmann was not immediately returned.