Judge releases suspect in 2 homicides on ankle monitor

Judge Releases Suspect in 2 Homicides on Ankle Monitor

Tuesday, 3/22/22

ALBUQUERQUE – APD Chief Harold Medina released the following statement after learning that State District Judge Stanley Whitaker released a murder suspect accused of killing two people in two separate shootings. The suspect, Adrian Avila, was released and required to wear a GPS ankle monitor until his murder trials.

“This suspect is at the root of the gun violence we’re seeing in Albuquerque and the record number of homicides,” Chief Medina said. “Our officers and detectives are doing everything possible to investigate and arrest the people who are terrorizing our neighborhoods committing robberies and homicides with stolen guns.

“At the same time, we are getting reports of violent suspects cutting off their ankle monitors and left to roam the streets until we re-arrest them. This is beyond upsetting. This jeopardizes the safety of our community, including our officers.”

Avila has been charged for his role in two homicides:

2021 Murder of Elias Otero Garcia

Avila was charged in December for the February 2021 murder of Elias Otero Garcia following a kidnapping and attempted robbery in Southeast Albuquerque. Avila turned himself in to police after an arrest warrant was issued. A hearing on the state’s motion to keep Avila in jail until trial was delayed until today, and combined with a separate pre-trial detention hearing for another murder charge. Judge Whitaker released Avila pending trial.

2020 Murder of Donnie Jacob Brandon

Avila was charged last week with the August 2020 murder of Donnie Jacob Brandon. Avila is one of four people accused in the shooting death of Brandon at Sandia Vista Park, located at 11505 Chico Rd N.E. A pre-trial hearing was held today in connection with separate murder charges against Avila. Judge Whitaker released Avila pending trial.

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