SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
The above image is from a police helmet camera shows Albuquerque police officers surrounding James Boyd.
(Screenshot via APD)
In Rare Turn, New Mexico Police to Stand Trial for Murder of Unarmed Homeless Man
The case marks the first instance any member of the Albuquerque police force has faced public murder trial for actions made on the job, despite a record of excessive and lethal force.
Aug 19, 2015
Marking an "unusual" development in the nationwide debate over police accountability, two New Mexico police officers have been ordered to stand trial for the shooting death of an unarmed homeless man, James Boyd.
Pro Tem Judge Neil Candelaria ruled on Tuesday that there was probable cause for Officer Dominique Perez and former Detective Keith Sandy to face trial for the murder of Boyd, whose March 2014 shooting went viral after being captured on video, sparking protests and outrage.
"It's unusual for a judge to order police officers to stand murder trial--even as the country debates use of force by police and sees protests in far-flung places over shootings by officers," the Associated Press noted. The case marks the first instance any member of the Albuquerque police force has faced a public murder trial for actions made on the job, despite a record of excessive and lethal force.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Marking an "unusual" development in the nationwide debate over police accountability, two New Mexico police officers have been ordered to stand trial for the shooting death of an unarmed homeless man, James Boyd.
Pro Tem Judge Neil Candelaria ruled on Tuesday that there was probable cause for Officer Dominique Perez and former Detective Keith Sandy to face trial for the murder of Boyd, whose March 2014 shooting went viral after being captured on video, sparking protests and outrage.
"It's unusual for a judge to order police officers to stand murder trial--even as the country debates use of force by police and sees protests in far-flung places over shootings by officers," the Associated Press noted. The case marks the first instance any member of the Albuquerque police force has faced a public murder trial for actions made on the job, despite a record of excessive and lethal force.
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Marking an "unusual" development in the nationwide debate over police accountability, two New Mexico police officers have been ordered to stand trial for the shooting death of an unarmed homeless man, James Boyd.
Pro Tem Judge Neil Candelaria ruled on Tuesday that there was probable cause for Officer Dominique Perez and former Detective Keith Sandy to face trial for the murder of Boyd, whose March 2014 shooting went viral after being captured on video, sparking protests and outrage.
"It's unusual for a judge to order police officers to stand murder trial--even as the country debates use of force by police and sees protests in far-flung places over shootings by officers," the Associated Press noted. The case marks the first instance any member of the Albuquerque police force has faced a public murder trial for actions made on the job, despite a record of excessive and lethal force.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.