Judge denies attempt to keep man accused of shooting stepmom behind bars until trial
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Cell phone video captured the moment a woman was shot at an Albuquerque high school graduation but it was not enough to keep the suspect behind bars. The video captured the gunshot Cristian Bencomo is accused of firing at his stepmom two weeks ago.
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He was put on conditions of release by Judge Emeterio Rudolfo last week. Prosecutors tried to get that decision overturned on Wednesday. They presented the video at a morning hearing.
It was recorded inside the Southwest Secondary Learning Center graduation ceremony at the Albuquerque Convention Center two weeks ago. It shows Bencomo walking past the ceremony and then moments later, he is seen in the background when a gun is heard going off.
The judge sided with Bencomo’s defense opting to keep him on GPS-monitored house arrest. “The court might consider evidence when someone is young and doesn’t have a criminal record. You know was he working, was he violating work directives, was he at his apartment complex violating all their… you know something to show… that some evidence for the court to consider that he wouldn’t comply with the conditions of release and that hasn’t been presented,” said Judge Emeterio Rudolfo.
The judge allowed Bencomo to live with his grandma. He can only leave his house for legal or medical appointments.
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