Attorney heads to trial over Pueblo man's death

Law

Monday, September 21, 2009

The trial of a man accused in the death of William Tenorio of San Felipe Pueblo begins today in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Carlos Fierro, 36, an attorney who has worked on Indian issues on Capitol Hill, is charged with vehicular homicide and causing a fatal accident. He is accused of striking and killing Tenorio, who was 46, in the early morning hours of November 26, 2008.

Fierro, who is Hispanic, plans to take the stand, according to news reports. He apparently will admit he was drinking the night before the accident but will deny knowingly hitting Tenorio. Fierro drove away from the scene after the accident.

The case has attracted significant media and public interest. At one point, Fierro tried to move the trial to a county with a higher Indian and Hispanic population but his request was denied.

The passenger in the car, Alfred Lovato, faces similar charges for Tenorio's death. Lovato was a former state police officer who worked the security detail for Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who was interviewed as part of the case but does not appear on any witness lists.

Tenorio was a well-liked DJ and a volunteer coach at Santa Fe Indian School.

Get the Story:
Fierro trial to revisit fateful night (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/20)
Fierro trial: The key witnesses (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/20)
Fierro trial: Possible issues (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/20)
Fierro trial: The key figures (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/20)
Fierro's Trial Starts Today (The Albuquerque Journal 9/21)