New Mexico trial for 2004 killing ends with hung jury

ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) - A four-day trial of a New Mexico man accused of a 2004 murder ended with a hung jury.

The Roswell Daily Record reports the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict Friday on the first-degree murder charge against 35-year-old Juan Olivares Jr.

Chaves County prosecutors say Olivares shot and killed 22-year-old Jonathan Ledesma in Roswell in February 2004.

They say he then shot himself to fabricate a story that another person fired at both him and Ledesma.

Olivares’ attorneys say a shooter had waited for their client to walk through the alley before opening fire, killing Ledesma and wounding Olivares.

Prosecutors say they have not made a decision on their next step. They could seek a new trial or move to dismiss the charges.

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Information from: Roswell Daily Record, http://www.roswell-record.com