Chandler retiring as district judge

After nearly 20 years as a local prosecutor and district judge, Clovis native Matt Chandler said Monday he’s retiring and moving to Texas for “a new career in the law.”

Chandler, 45, has been a fixture in Clovis-Portales criminal courtrooms since he joined the District Attorney’s office in 2002. He was elected DA in 2004, held the job 10 years, then was appointed to the bench in 2015.

“Serving the state of New Mexico … has been a dream come true,” Chandler said. “It truly has been an absolute honor and privilege.”

Chandler said he’s accepted a job in Lubbock for a corporation that provides legal representation for all 50 states. “My primary focus will be New Mexico and West Texas,” he said.

He declined to name the corporation, but said the job presents an opportunity to be near family as his parents are also moving to Lubbock.

“God really opened my eyes to opportunities for my family and myself that I never knew existed. And this offer came along that I was really excited about,” he said.

Chandler, a 1994 Clovis High graduate, earned an undergraduate degree from Eastern New Mexico University and a law degree from the University of Tulsa.

He ran for attorney general in 2010, with an unsuccessful bid to unseat incumbent Gary King. Gov. Susana Martinez appointed him to the judgeship in 2015.

As district attorney, Chandler prosecuted perpetrators of some of the region's most heinous crimes. The most memorable case, he said, was the 2005 murders of a Portales couple, Doris and Odis Newman, found in the trunk of their burned car.

Stanley Bedford was found guilty of their slayings by an Albuquerque jury after the case was moved there because of local publicity. Chandler sought the death penalty, but he and Newman family members said they were satisfied that Bedford would die in prison.

(W)e think 120 years - guilty on all the counts we presented - that’s still justice,” Chandler said after the jury’s verdict. “We’re going back to eastern New Mexico, thanks to our neighbors in Albuquerque, with that justice that this family deserves.”

As a judge, Chandler said civil matters and adoptions provided some of his more rewarding experiences. And he described working as the Roosevelt County drug court judge as “incredible. … Seeing defendants truly rehabilitated and becoming a better parent, spouse or successful member of the community has to be at the top of the list.”

He also said he cherished his time as chair of the New Mexico Rules of Criminal Procedure of State Courts. “Working to adapt and improve our state’s rules has been a very rewarding endeavor. I’m very grateful the Supreme Court afforded me that opportunity,” he said.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will select Chandler’s successor.

That process begins Aug. 25 when a Judicial Nominating Commission is slated to meet at 9 a.m. at the Curry County Courthouse to evaluate applicants.

The deadline for application is Aug. 6, according to a news release from Beverly Akin of the Judicial Selection Office.

“Judge Chandler has been an instrumental part of the criminal justice system for nearly two decades,” said Chief District Judge Drew Tatum. “(H)is presence on the bench will be greatly missed.”

Said New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Vigil in a statement: “Judge Matthew Chandler’s retirement will not only be felt in the Ninth Judicial District but also statewide. Judge Chandler serves as Chair of the Supreme Court’s Rules of Criminal Procedure Committee and has played an integral role in making court rules for criminal proceedings throughout the state.

“Judge Chandler, who has lived in Clovis much of his life and served as a DA and an Assistant DA there, has demonstrated a high level of legal knowledge and excellent judicial temperament. Like his father, Caleb Chandler, a former state senator, Judge Chandler has served the State of New Mexico in multiple ways. The Judiciary will miss Judge Chandler and wishes him and his family all the best and much success in the future.”