The Albuquerque police had their hands full as they arrested three people in connection with a brawl that broke out in the courtroom on Feb. 6.
The trial that day centered around Alexander Ortiz, who had killed two people in January 2024. Ortiz killed Nicole Maldonado at a food market before fleeing the scene and killing his ex-girlfriend, Alianna Farfan. Ortiz was caught in March and was charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder resulting in death, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence in the Maldonado case.
He was finally brought before the court on Jan. 31 when one person rushed into the gallery, threw Ortiz to the ground and began punching him. This led to Ortiz’s father trying to intervene, but another person punched him. The correction officers quickly broke up the fight and arrested the parties involved.
“This is just one more incident that we continue to deal with. These are the types of things that we see regularly,” said Katina Watson, CEO of the Second Judicial District Court.
One of the people arrested was Carlos Lucero, the uncle of Alianna Farfan, who told deputies, “he killed my niece like a coward,” and “it was worth every moment.”
Lucero, along with the other individuals involved—Pete Ysasi and Jamie Luecero—are all facing charges of battery on a peace officer and assault.
A date has not yet been set for their hearing.
