Turmoil continues for the McKinley County District Attorney’s office. D.A. Bernadine Martin held a news conference near the McKinley County Courthouse in Gallup Tuesday afternoon to address accusations that her office has been mishandling cases, and has low prosecution numbers. Martin takes shots at Santa FeMartin said the allegations of incompetence from her office are untrue, saying she’s being unfairly targeted by leaders in Santa Fe. “We want to run McKinley County D.A.’s office in McKinley County,” said Martin, referring to the fact that her office’s funding has been handed over to the neighboring San Juan County District Attorney’s office.Special Prosecutor Johanna Cox, who was sitting by Martin’s side during the entirety of the news conference, also denied allegations of high case dismissals and low prosecution rates in her office.”I think it’s important to know that this thousands of dismissals actually are charges. They are not cases being dismissed,” said Cox.Cox also accused the state of targeting Martin in part for her ethnicity.”The only Native American female district attorney in New Mexico is being disparately impacted compared to other similarly situated district attorneys. She is the only state agency that got their funding cut and gutted like she did,” added Cox.Legislature defunds Martin’s office in budget billBack in April, a $10.8 billion budget bill was signed into law, which revoked funding for Martin’s office.The accusations of incompetency in Matin’s office promoted an investigation from attorney general Raul Torrez.The money intended for Martin’s office was instead given to the neighboring San Juan County D.A.’s office to handle McKinley County’s cases.Since the fiscal year began July 1st, Martin has been funding her office with her own paychecks, and the money is about to run out.”August 12th,” said Martin on Tuesday. “We will be entirely out of money to pay staff,” she added.An emergency request for funding by Martin was denied by the State Board of Finance a few weeks ago. “San Juan County cannot take over McKinley County, and I need your support to get this message through. It’s not legal,” Martin said to the crowd that had gathered outside of her news conference. State Finance Board Chair: “Justice is not being served” State Senator George Muñoz is the chair of the New Mexico State Finance Board, and was in the crowd at Tuesday’s news conference.He addressed both the crowd and KOAT, saying there’s a chance Martin could be removed from office.”I did know that there’s a grand jury being seated for the D.A. So that’s one thing to be,” said the state senator. “Justice is not being served for anyone in McKinley County,” he added.Senator Martin also said the state will find a way to make sure that the employees of the McKinley County D.A.’s office will continue to be paid, even after funding runs out. KOAT has reached out to the San Juan County’s D.A.’s office about Martin’s comments, but have not heard back at the time of this publication.KOAT has also reached out to the Attorney General’s office about the ongoing investigation, but have also yet hear back.
Turmoil continues for the McKinley County District Attorney’s office.
D.A. Bernadine Martin held a news conference near the McKinley County Courthouse in Gallup Tuesday afternoon to address accusations that her office has been mishandling cases, and has low prosecution numbers.
Martin takes shots at Santa Fe
Martin said the allegations of incompetence from her office are untrue, saying she’s being unfairly targeted by leaders in Santa Fe.
“We want to run McKinley County D.A.’s office in McKinley County,” said Martin, referring to the fact that her office’s funding has been handed over to the neighboring San Juan County District Attorney’s office.
Special Prosecutor Johanna Cox, who was sitting by Martin’s side during the entirety of the news conference, also denied allegations of high case dismissals and low prosecution rates in her office.
“I think it’s important to know that this thousands of dismissals actually are charges. They are not cases being dismissed,” said Cox.
Cox also accused the state of targeting Martin in part for her ethnicity.
“The only Native American female district attorney in New Mexico is being disparately impacted compared to other similarly situated district attorneys. She is the only state agency that got their funding cut and gutted like she did,” added Cox.
Legislature defunds Martin’s office in budget bill
Back in April, a $10.8 billion budget bill was signed into law, which revoked funding for Martin’s office.
The accusations of incompetency in Matin’s office promoted an investigation from attorney general Raul Torrez.
The money intended for Martin’s office was instead given to the neighboring San Juan County D.A.’s office to handle McKinley County’s cases.
Since the fiscal year began July 1st, Martin has been funding her office with her own paychecks, and the money is about to run out.
“August 12th,” said Martin on Tuesday.
“We will be entirely out of money to pay staff,” she added.
An emergency request for funding by Martin was denied by the State Board of Finance a few weeks ago.
“San Juan County cannot take over McKinley County, and I need your support to get this message through. It’s not legal,” Martin said to the crowd that had gathered outside of her news conference.
State Finance Board Chair: “Justice is not being served”
State Senator George Muñoz is the chair of the New Mexico State Finance Board, and was in the crowd at Tuesday’s news conference.
He addressed both the crowd and KOAT, saying there’s a chance Martin could be removed from office.
“I did know that there’s a grand jury being seated for the D.A. So that’s one thing to be,” said the state senator.
“Justice is not being served for anyone in McKinley County,” he added.
Senator Martin also said the state will find a way to make sure that the employees of the McKinley County D.A.’s office will continue to be paid, even after funding runs out.
KOAT has reached out to the San Juan County’s D.A.’s office about Martin’s comments, but have not heard back at the time of this publication.
KOAT has also reached out to the Attorney General’s office about the ongoing investigation, but have also yet hear back.
