A New Mexico courtroom descended into chaos when a murder suspect was attacked by his alleged victim's uncle and stepfather during a plea hearing. The incident, captured on video, shows a violent melee involving multiple individuals, including the accused, corrections officers, and family members.
Courtroom video footage captured the harrowing moment a New Mexico murder suspect was violently attacked by his alleged victim's uncle and stepfather during a hearing on Friday. Alexander Ortiz, 21, had been arrested by Albuquerque police in February 2024 in connection with the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend, Alianna Farfan. Ortiz faced a first-degree murder charge, which he pleaded not guilty to in March 2024.
As Ortiz appeared in a courtroom at the Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque for a plea hearing, chaos erupted. Video shows a man leaping over the courtroom barrier separating the public from suspects and charging towards Ortiz, who attempts to flee. Another man quickly follows suit. A chaotic melee ensues, with multiple individuals struggling and fighting as they tumble on the floor. This includes Lucero, Ysasi, Ortiz, a corrections officer, Ortiz's father, and an unidentified sixth man. Lucero and Ysasi are seen punching an unidentified man wearing jeans and a dark long-sleeved shirt, while the corrections officer tries desperately to shield Ortiz. The struggle finally ends when the corrections officer deploys his Taser.Court documents filed by the State of New Mexico in Metropolitan Court last week identify the attackers as Carlos Lucero and Pete Ysasi. Deputies responded to the courtroom at around 9:30 a.m. following reports of an active fight. Lucero and Ysasi allegedly jumped over the courtroom gate, ran toward Ortiz, and began punching him, court documents state. The men also allegedly injured the corrections officer attempting to protect Ortiz. During his arrest, Lucero identified Farfan as his niece and exclaimed, 'He killed my niece like a coward,' adding, 'it was worth every moment.' Ysasi was Farfan's stepfather. Following the incident, Lucero and Ysasi sustained 'visible lacerations', according to court documents. Lucero and Ysasi were taken into custody and charged with battery on a peace officer and assault on a jail. Lucero was released from the Metropolitan Detention center on Saturday, and Ysasi was released the day after, online records show. It remains unclear if they have legal representation.Farfan was found dead by police in her apartment on January 11, 2024, according to the Albuquerque Police Department. 'Homicide detectives learned from friends and family that Farfan and Ortiz had an abusive relationship and Ortiz was upset with Farfan the day of the shooting,' police said in a news release published last year. 'Farfan lived at the apartment and allowed several friends to stay there because she feared being alone, according to a relative.' Farfan's friends told detectives that they heard a single gunshot while Ortiz and Farfan were in her bedroom that evening. After kicking open the door, they discovered Farfan with a gunshot wound to the face and said Ortiz had escaped through the bedroom window. Ortiz was apprehended on February 21, 2024 following a brief stand-off with police. He has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center since then, according to online records. NBC News did not immediately hear back from an attorney for Ortiz. His next hearing is scheduled for Friday morning
Murder Assault Courtroom Family Violence New Mexico
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