Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Pages past - Feb. 12

On this date ...

1997: About 30 people were at Clovis Livestock Auction in effort to raise money for the Hart Youth Ranch at Melrose.

Officials said the event raised $7,341.49.

1992: A 20-year-old Portales man was sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection with the beating death of William McDermott, 35.

Stephen Paul Casillas apologized for his role as an accessory in the ax-handle bludgeoning murder, the Clovis News Journal reported.

Police said McDermott was killed during an armed robbery at his home. His television and stereo were taken.

Casillas’ attorney, Tom Harden, argued before the court that his client had tried to prevent the killing and that a co-defendant, Victor Velasquez, was responsible for the death.

Velasquez was sentenced to life in prison for the slaying.

Pages Past is compiled by Editor David Stevens. Contact him at: [email protected]

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