Portales man pleads in stabbing death

PORTALES – A Portales man on Monday reached a plea agreement to a charge of murder in the second degree with aggravating circumstances in connection with a 2021 stabbing death.

Jesse Lujan, 35, was accused of stabbing to death his cousin, Roy Courtney Lujan, 41, with a steak knife on Sept. 11.

District Judge Donna Mowrer sentenced Jesse Lujan to 20 years in prison, according to a news release from District Attorney Brian Stover. 

Records show Portales police responded to a residence at 1124 W. Fir where they found Roy Lujan suffering from multiple stab wounds to the left side of his chest and one stab wound to his heart.

The victim was taken to the Roosevelt General Hospital where he died.

Deputy District Attorney Quentin Ray said last year Roy Lujan was visiting his cousin, aunt and uncle when the incident occurred.

The suspect's mother told investigators that Jesse said Roy was making fun of him, and told his mom to tell Roy to "get ... out of here or I am going to kill him."

She said Jesse then went outside to where Roy Lujan was, attacked him as he was sitting in a chair and took off.

Law officers located Jesse Lujan on the 500 block of Avenue K just south of the apartment complex.

Ray prosecuted the case. Lujan was represented by criminal defense attorney Robert Work of Albuquerque.

Jesse Lujan faced first-degree murder charges prior to Monday's plea agreement, records show.