Fort Sumner woman's trial delayed

CLOVIS — The trial of a Fort Sumner woman facing first-degree murder charges in the death of her grandfather was delayed Thursday by Ninth Judicial District Court Judge Matthew Chandler.

The trial of Candy Jo Webb of Fort Sumner, who is accused of slaying her grandfather last October, was scheduled to begin August 9, but Chandler granted a request of both the prosecutor and defense attorney to delay the trial.

Tenth Judicial District Attorney Tim Rose asked for the delay because of a conflicting kidnapping and rape case scheduled at the same time, and because of Chandler’s retirement, effective August 7.

Defense attorney Tomas Benavidez concurred.

Chandler said he would inform the attorneys of a new trial date.

The case is under Tenth Judicial District jurisdiction, but Chandler took the case after Tenth Judicial District Judge Albert Mitchell was excused in January.

Webb faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of her grandfather, A.J. Harden, 83, whose body was found in an abandoned tool chest in Fort Sumner.

According to an Oct. 28 arrest warrant, Webb told investigators and family her grandfather was checked into a Texas long-term care facility, but law enforcement could not find the facility she spoke of.

Investigators received information Webb gave Harden Xanax and Ambien, and then discarded the tool chest with his body inside.