Associated Press
RIO RANCHO — A former U.S. marshal has been appointed to succeed a Rio Rancho municipal judge who last year killed a prowler who police say had been stalking him.
The Rio Rancho City Council voted 5-0 Wednesday to appoint James Walker, who will hold the job until the municipal election in March.
Walker, along with Herman Fierro, a Rio Rancho attorney, have said they would run for the judgeship.
Walker succeeds Calvin Shields, who resigned earlier this month.
Shields killed Michael Tinervia, 49, of Rio Rancho during a shootout in Shields' backyard on Oct. 8, 2004.
A Sandoval County grand jury cleared Shields of any wrongdoing in the death of Tinervia, who police said had been stalking Shields with the intent of killing him.
The grand jury ruled last Dec. 9 that Shields was justified in using deadly force.
Tinervia fired numerous gunshots at Shields, who returned fire, police said.
Tinervia had been slated to appear before Shields on Oct. 25, 2004, to resume a hearing on charges of reckless driving and interference with police.
Tinervia had appeared before Shields during June 2004, and the subsequent hearing was scheduled to wrap up the case.
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