Trial in shooting of officer left in doubt

CLOVIA — A trial scheduled next week for a man accused of shooting a Clovis police officer was left in doubt following a Tuesday morning docket call.

The uncertainty in the case of Anthony Baca came up when his attorney, Julita Leavell of Albuquerque, was not available in person or over the phone for the morning docket call.

A jury trial is scheduled 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. Baca’s case is fourth on the docket, but prosecutors noted the three cases ahead of it might all have delays.

Baca is accused of shooting Clovis officer Chris Caron in August while escaping arrest on a failure to appear warrant.

“The state’s prepared to move forward,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Stover said. “We have witnesses and a lot of preparation.”

According to court records, Leavell participated via telephone at an Oct. 19 hearing for Baca. Numbers listed for Leavell’s office online were not in service.

Throughout the hearing, Baca’s requests to address the court were held off by Judge Drew Tatum, out of concerns the lack of counsel increased Baca’s risk of self-incrimination. Thomas Harden offered to stand in for Leavell, but Tatum said an attorney unfamiliar with the case wouldn’t help Baca much.

Tatum said he would schedule a status conference for later in the week to sort matters out, and Stover said he would file an order to show cause regarding Leavell’s absence. Baca asked if he could file a request to fire his attorney during that conference, and Tatum said that matter could be discussed.