A judge in New Mexico dropped contempt charges against a group of people from Taos Pueblo who became unruly at a sentencing hearing last week.

Judge Sam Sánchez said he warned the group repeatedly to remain civil during the proceedings on November 19. He told them they would face jail time if they continued to yell obscenities in court.

“I asked you if you were serious, if you would go to jail, and you said you would,” Sánchez said at a hearing on Monday, The Albuquerque Journal reported.

A total of 32 people were arrested after being held in contempt. Nearly all of them were tribal members, although news reports differed on the exact number.

The group spend the night in various jails before the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered them to be released on Friday. “They treated us like criminals,” 60-year-old Ethel Lujan told the Journal.

Lujan and the others showed up to the sentencing hearing of Dominic Bau, a tribal member who pleaded guilty to raping a 13-year-old relative. The incident occurred off the reservation.

Supporters of Bau and family members of the victim clashed in court, prompting Sánchez to lay contempt charges.

Get the Story:
Judge dismisses charges in contempt case (The Taos News 11/24)
Judge frees 32 held in contempt of court (The Santa Fe New Mexican 11/24)
Charges Dropped (The Albuquerque Journal 11/24)
Arrestees 'Treated Like Criminals' (The Albuquerque Journal 11/24)

Earlier Stories:
Judge orders 40 Taos Pueblo people arrested after courtroom distruption (The Taos News 11/20)
Contempt prisoners released pending arraignment (The Taos News 11/21)
N.M. Supreme Court orders release of 29 jailed in Taos contempt case (The Santa Fe New Mexican 11/21)
Taos Judge Jails 32 for Contempt (The Albuquerque Journal 11/21)