Judge who sent Taos Pueblo members to jail told to resign

Friday, April 22, 2011  

The New Mexico Supreme Court has told a judge to resign or face removal for sending 32 people from Taos Pueblo to jail for contempt of court.

The court determined that 8th Judicial District Judge Sam Sanchez acted outside of his authority by sending the group, which included several elderly tribal members, to jail. Some were held overnight as far away as Santa Fe, over 70 miles from Taos Pueblo.

If Sanchez doesn't retire by 5pm on Monday, the court will start removal proceedings. “I’m satisfied,” tribal member Ethel Lujan, who was among those jailed, told The Albuquerque Journal.

The incident was sparked by the sentencing hearing of Dominic Bau, a tribal member who pleaded guilty to raping a 13-year-old relative. The crime occurred off the reservation. Supporters of Bau and family members of the victim clashed at the hearing

Get the Story:
Taos judge must retire or may face removal (The Taos News 4/21)
Taos Judge Could Face Removal (The Albuquerque Journal 4/21)

Related Stories:
Court asked to punish judge who sent Pueblo members to jail (3/22)
Judge faces removal for sending Taos group to jail for contempt (12/3)
Judge who jailed Taos Pueblo group for contempt faces sanction (8/31)
Arrests of Taos Pueblo members expunged by court (1/7)
Contempt charges dropped against Pueblo group (11/24)