Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
On this date …
1972: Prosecutors had decided they will not pursue felony charges against 10 people arrested Sept. 7 for illegal gambling at the Clovis Elks Lodge.
“Since the city attorney does not wish to prosecute it as a misdemeanor we will not pursue further,” District Attorney Fred Hensley told the Clovis News-Journal.
Police had raided the city service club and charged 10 people with misdemeanor gambling. But when the city decided not to prosecute, Hensley said his only options were to drop charges or prosecute under felony statutes.
“For us to go ahead and take the case away from the city and prosecute these people on a felony would not appear to be the right thing to do,” Hensley said, noting that a felony conviction would cost an individual his right to vote and hold office.
“We have succeeded in stopping the gambling at the Elks Lodge. I feel that justice will best be served by handling this case in this manner.”
Hensley said all gambling paraphernalia confiscated in the raid will be destroyed.
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