Arraignment Scheduled in Case of Man that Threatened Judge

  • Arraignment Scheduled in Case of Man that Threatened Judge
    Arraignment Scheduled in Case of Man that Threatened Judge

GRANTS, NM – The New Mexico Supreme Court has taken the uncommon step of intervening in the case against John Karl O'Brien, who faces serious charges including attempted murder for allegedly threatening to kill 13th Judicial District Court Judge Amanda Sanchez Villalobos. The intervention mandates a change of venue, moving the trial from Cibola County to Santa Fe, reflecting the case's complexity and high stakes.

Incident Overview

On April 8, 2024, John Karl O'Brien reportedly threatened the life of Judge Sanchez Villalobos and was later apprehended outside the courthouse in Grants, NM, wielding an ax. According to the Cibola County Sheriff's Office, the threat was initially made via a telephone call to a lawyer's office in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, which quickly alerted the authorities, leading to an immediate courthouse lockdown.

Security footage and body cam from Deputy Brian Gardner show O'Brien at the courthouse entrance, ax in hand, before he was disarmed and detained by the responding officers. This footage was pivotal in the subsequent legal proceedings that led to O'Brien’s indictment by a grand jury on April 12.

Judicial Proceedings Shift

Originally assigned to Judge Sanchez Villalobos, the case was reassigned to Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer following Villalobos' recusal due to the direct threat against her. Judge Sommer is known for overseeing significant cases, including the upcoming Alec Baldwin trial related to the 'Rust' shooting incident. O'Brien's charges are severe: • Attempt to Commit a Felony, to wit: First Degree Murder (Willful & Deliberate) - Second-degree felony.

• Threatening a Judge or their Immediate Family - Fourth-degree felony.

• Use of Telephone to Terrify, Intimidate, Threaten, Harass, Annoy or Offend - Misdemeanor.

O'Brien is represented by attorneys Richard Benjamin Pugh and Nicholas Thomas Hart. His defense has filed several motions, including requests for discovery and a speedy trial. The prosecution, led by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Michael Thomas, had successfully argued for pretrial detention, citing the gravity of the accusations and the potential risk O'Brien poses.

Court Actions and UpdatesA

series of legal filings and orders have marked the case's progression:

• Pretrial Detention Granted: On April 12, shortly after the indictment, O'Brien was ordered detained without bail, emphasizing the case's seriousness.

• Virtual Hearings Set: Proceedings have adapted to include virtual components, with motions filed for video link arrangements to accommodate the logistical challenges posed by the change of venue.

O'Brien's arraignment is scheduled for April 24, 2024, at 11:15 AM in the Grants District Court, where the charges will be formally read, and pleas entered. This hearing follows the Supreme Court's directive to ensure the case is handled fairly and without undue influence, given the sensitive nature of the threats against a judicial figure.