'Diligent and dedicated': Former Bernalillo County judge and prosecutor dies

Former Bernalillo County judge and deputy district attorney Julie Altwies was known for being tough on criminals and an advocate for victims’ rights.

“I remember her being very diligent and dedicated to prosecuting violent crimes,” deputy district attorney David Waymire said.

Altwies died in her sleep on Aug. 4.

She was 67.

Altwies was a leading prosecutor in the 1996 Hollywood Video murder case that involved the killing of five people in the metro area. She later became a Bernalillo County Metro Court chief judge and headed the county drug court program.

“She was so proud of the work that she was doing, especially when she got into the drug court,” said Altwies’ sister, Jane Altwies. “She never stopped talking about that and all the good things that were coming from it.”

‘Always mindful of victims’ rights’

Julie Altwies was born in Tiffin, Ohio, on Feb. 22, 1958.

She attended the University of New Mexico and UNM School of Law before working at the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office.

In 1996, Altwies was the lead prosecutor in the Hollywood Video murder case where five people were shot and killed: three employees of the video store, Jowanda Castillo, Zachary Blacklock, and Mylinh Daothi, and Blacklock’s grandparents, Pauline McDougall and George McDougall.

Esther Beckley pleaded guilty to killing the McDougalls while Shane Harrison was found guilty of murdering the married couple. The jury was “deadlocked” on whether he fatally shot the employees, the Journal reported on Jan. 23, 1998.

The McDougalls’ granddaughter and Blacklock’s cousin, Holly Jewell said during the trials Altwies explained everything that was going on in “layman’s terms and (was) very straightforward with us with what to expect, what we would see in the courtroom.”

“We would be prepared for what was going to happen and things that were going to be said,” Jewell said. “She shielded us from things that might have been even more traumatic or open more wounds.

“She was caring and kind and comforting at a time when not much eased the pain and not much made things easier.”

Another case Altwies was involved in resulted in the indictment of an unknown man — later identified as Robert Howard Bruce — suspected of stalking, drugging and raping nine Albuquerque women in an eight-year-period.

The indictment was based on DNA samples taken from most of his victims and on the methods he used during the attacks, according to the April 20, 2000, Journal.

That was the first time that happened in New Mexico, Waymire said.

Altwies was later appointed then elected Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court judge and became chief judge. During that time, she headed the local drug court program.

In a June 2, 2009, Journal article about a drug court graduation Altwies was quoted as saying, the program works “more than anything else in our system.”

Altwies retired in 2014, but not before receiving accolades such as prosecutor of the year by the New Mexico District Attorney Association and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Jewell said she and Altwies were friends with former MADD New Mexico chapter president, the late Nadine Milford. Milford championed for DWI reform after her daughter and three grandchildren were killed in a fatal crash on Christmas Eve in 1992. Altwies was prosecutor in that case.

Waymire said he will remember Altwies for her “dedication to the cases and being focused on the results of the cases.”

“She was always mindful of victims’ rights and putting the hard work in,” he said.

Jane Altwies said her sister also officiated many marriages, including those involving people whose lives were impacted by violent crimes.

“I think that speaks a lot to her commitment (to) supporting New Mexicans affected by crime,” Altwies said.

Outside the courtroom, Julie Altwies loved being around dogs.

“One of the things that gives me some comfort right now is that she’ll be able to see her favorites, Buddy and Duke (golden retrievers) and George (mutt),” Altwies said. “There wasn’t one dog she could pass without giving them a pet or a treat. Often times, I’d bring my dog and she would love them before she would even say hello to me.”

Altwies also enjoyed buying gifts for family, Jane Altwies said.

“As we have been taking care of her belongings,” Altwies said, “we’re finding gifts for future birthdays for nieces and nephews and grandchildren.”

Altwies is survived by her mother Mary Janet Altwies and sisters, Jolene Altwies and Jane Altwies.

A visitation is scheduled for 6-6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at French Funerals and Cremation at 7121 Wyoming NE, followed by memorial services from 6:30-7 p.m.