Jury selection is scheduled to start in just a few minutes in the courtroom of state District Judge Albert S. "Pat" Murdoch for Jeffrey Galindo-Solano, 22, accused of murder, kidnapping, child abuse, aggravated battery, conspiracy and evidence-tampering in the Aug. 9, 2003 killing of 16-year-old Chris Hanson of Moriarty in Albuquerque's Alvarado Park.

Jury selection had been scheduled to start Monday, but Galindo-Solano -- who is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence for unrelated crimes -- was wearing a jail jumpsuit when he appeared in Murdoch's courtroom and his attorney asked for a postponement so the defendant could appear in street clothes for jury selection, according to a report on KOB-TV's Web site.

Galindo-Solano managed to escape custody briefly on his way to a court appearance last October, when he unlocked his shackles and fled from a jail transport bus. He was caught minutes later by a police officer and sheriff's deputy who saw him running near 4th and Roma NW while they were on their way to work.

The Moriarty boy, his girlfriend, his younger brother and two other friends were drinking sodas in Alvarado Park in the early morning hours of Aug. 9, 2003, when Galindo-Solano and two other men -- Royce Chinana and Joseph Archuleta -- allegedly forced Hanson and his friends to strip and lie down on the ground. They were robbed, their vehicle stolen, Hanson's girlfriend was beaten with the butt of a sawed-off shotgun, and Hanson was shot in the head as he lay naked,  according to police reports. Police said they believed Galindo-Solano was the one who shot Hanson, the Journal has reported.

Archuleta, 19,  pleaded guilty last October to second-degree murder, seven counts of armed robbery, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and escape from jail. He has not been sentenced. Chinana, 22, is scheduled to go on trial before Murdoch on Dec. 12.

Your Name:

Your Email Address:

Rate this article:
Poor Great

Comment:

BOLD

"QUOTE"

UNDERLINE