Applications sought for vacant judge position

Now that Judge Robert Brack is on his way to his new federal judgeship in Las Cruces, the University of New Mexico School of Law has issued a formal announcement soliciting applications from lawyers who would like to fill the newly-vacant state district court seat serving Clovis and Portales.

Attorneys who are at least 35 years old and have practiced law at least five years may request an application from Reva Chapman via the UNM School of Law, 1117 Stanford NE, Albuquerque 87131-0001. Qualified applicants may also call 277-4700 or e-mail:

[email protected]

The deadline for applications and nominations is 5 p.m. Aug. 11.

Applicants will be reviewed by a special committee and one or more names will be submitted to the governor’s office for appointment. The candidate appointed will stand for election at the next general election, in November 2004.

According to Brack’s former office staff, pending criminal matters in his court will be handled by retired judge David “Bill” Bonem on a part-time basis; civil and other matters will be passed on to the other two judges in the 9th Judicial District. For the coming week that means Judge Teddy Hartley will have extra work since Judge Stephen Quinn’s court is in recess until next week.

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A tip from a Clovis bail bondsman led to the New Mexico State Police apprehending a man from California wanted for attempted murder.

Paul Anthony Sanchez was taken into custody by the state police July 10 while staying at a home on Hondo Street. According to Sgt. E.J. Fouratt, Sanchez is a gang member from Riverside, Calif., and has both a Curry County felony warrant for harboring a fugitive and a $500,000 California felony warrant for attempted murder.

Apprehending Sanchez took not only Sgt. Fouratt but also a narcotics agent and two special drug task force agents.

“We saw the suspect in the front yard; he ran in the house and the region 5 task force narcotics team assisted in getting him,” Fouratt said.

According to the tipster, Hank Bayless of Hank’s Bail Bonds, Sanchez had jumped bail with his company and one of his staff, Crystal McLeroy, tracked Sanchez down by tracing bus tickets.

“You wouldn’t believe how far she tracked this guy,” Bayless said. “She followed him until she tracked every bus he ever was on in his life.”

Bayless said Sanchez had come to Clovis to help his girlfriend pack and was about to leave town.

Lt. Rick Durham of the state police said he was glad to get Bayless’ tip and put Sanchez behind bars.

“Anytime you have a felon who is a fugitive it poses a public safety issue,” Durham said. “If he is wanted on a violent felony, that poses a problem for the community.”

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Cops and Courts is compiled by CNJ staff writer Darrell Todd Maurina. He can be contacted at 763-6991 or: [email protected]