GRANTS, NM – Curtis Salazar, who stands accused of committing murder in the City of Grants, New Mexico, on May 15, has been found incompetent and dangerous. This finding by the 13th Judicial District Court in Grants means he is incompetent to stand trial.
On July 19, the 13th Judicial District Court received a report, from a competency specialist that deemed Salazar as both incompetent and dangerous. The report raised concerns about his mental state and ability to stand trial for the charges of First Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence.
Following the evaluation's findings, 13th Judicial District Court Judge Amanda Sanchez Villalobos took immediate action and mandated that Salazar be placed under the care of the New Mexico Department of Health.
The court has scheduled a virtual hearing on October 5 at 11 a.m. to discuss the next steps regarding Salazar's case. This hearing will play a crucial role in determining how the legal proceedings will proceed, considering his mental state and potential implications on the trial.
The original incident, which led to the charges against Salazar, involved a violent attack on the victim, who was identified as a homosexual. Salazar and the victim had been friends for an undisclosed period, but due to alleged bullying from other friends, Salazar's attitude towards the victim had soured. Weeks before the alleged murder, Salazar had attacked the victim and his boyfriend with a metal pipe.
On the day of the alleged murder, May 15, the victim visited Salazar's residence on Smith Street to smoke meth together, according to police interviews with Salazar. There were other individuals present in the house at the time. The situation escalated, and Salazar attacked the victim with a machete, inflicting severe injuries, including a fatal slash to the throat. He even invited others to view the body after the attack, displaying a shocking lack of remorse.
Salazar was apprehended by the authorities, and during police interviews, he allegedly confessed to the murder and expressed discriminatory views, using anti-LGBT slurs. The crime scene was thoroughly investigated by both Grants Police Department and New Mexico State Police, who secured evidence, including the bloody machete found near the scene.
The case progressed through the judicial system, and on June 6, Judge Sanchez-Villalobos ordered Salazar to be held in custody until the scheduled competency hearing on July 20 at 1:30 p.m. However, with the recent evaluation results deeming him incompetent and dangerous, his situation has taken a different turn.
As the court prepares for the upcoming virtual hearing, the focus will shift towards determining the most appropriate course of action for Salazar, considering his mental health condition and its impact on the legal proceedings.
Timeline of Events
May 15:
• Salazar allegedly commits a murder in the City of Grants.
• The victim, who had been friends with Salazar despite facing bullying due to his sexual orientation, visits Salazar's residence on Smith Street to smoke meth together.
• During the visit, Salazar becomes violent with the victim, leading to a confrontation that escalates into a deadly attack with a machete.
• After the attack, Salazar invites others present in the house to view the victim's body.
• The police are dispatched to the scene around 9:20 p.m. after a woman finds the victim unconscious with multiple cuts across his body.
June 6:
• 13th Judicial District Court Judge Sanchez-Villalobos orders that Salazar be held in custody until a scheduled competency hearing.
July 19:
• The court receives a report stating that Salazar is both incompetent and dangerous, raising concerns about his mental state and ability to stand trial.
July 20:
• 13th Judicial District Court Judge Sanchez-Villalobos mandates that Salazar be placed under the care of the New Mexico Department of Health due to the findings of his incompetency and dangerousness.
October 5:
• The court schedules a virtual hearing at 11 a.m. to discuss the next steps regarding Salazar's case, taking into consideration his mental health condition and its implications on the legal proceedings.