01-29-2011

Page 1

Roswell Daily Record

Ezzell pushing self-defense bill

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THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY

MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER

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A local lawmaker wants to expand state statute that provides for the use of deadly force by an individual protecting their home or property. State Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell, is seeking to add third parties to a state law that permits the use of deadly force when defending against an intruder to a person’s dwelling, place of work or occupied vehicle. The lawmaker

January 29, 2011

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introduced the legislation on Thursday. “Let’s say that you are sitting at your house and you have a 14year-old daughter who has a friend staying over,” Ezzell said. “You have the right, not only to protect yourself and your immediate family, but anyone that might be in your home or your vehicle.” The bill would also prevent criminal prosecution for certain defensive actions. It also aims to award attorney fees and court costs for any civil litigation brought against

an individual sued for invoking their rights to use deadly force when applicable. The latter was designed to prevent, for example, family members of a deceased intruder to be awarded monetary damages for the person’s actions, Ezzell said. “They do not have recourse to come back and sue you because you were protecting and defending what is yours,” she said. This is the second time the lawmaker has introduced the legislation. During its first go around, it

Obama pressures Mubarak

WASHINGTON (AP) — Military training to apply the new law allowing gays to serve openly will begin in February and will move quickly, senior Pentagon leaders said Friday. - PAGE A7

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• Man arrested for worthless checks • Grajeda and Pruett • Espinoza’s father passes • Helen Langenegger • Grass that glitters Mark Wilson Photo

INSIDE SPORTS

Molly B, a training dog from Seattle, waits patiently for commands at the Chaves County Courthouse Friday during Meet the Courthouse Dogs, a legal training course on the issues and protocol of using assistance dogs.

Officials receive courthouse dog training JONATHAN ENTZMINGER RECORD STAFF WRITER

Courthouse Dogs, LLC, a Washington state consultant firm that trains public officials and various organizations on how to use courthouse dogs in the courtroom, trained several Roswell public officials this week. On Friday, the last training session took place at the

HAAS TAKES THE LEAD SAN DIEGO (AP) — A strong finish by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson made them feel better about their rounds Friday on opposite ends of Torrey Pines, and better about their chances of catching Bill Haas. - PAGE B1

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Chaves County Courthouse. Fifth Judicial District Attorney Janetta B. Hicks and Assistant District Attorney Alan Griffin, as well as several Roswell attorneys, law enforcement officials and members of the public, attended Friday’s session. “I think that a courthouse dog could be a phenomenal tool in the criminal justice system for all of the participants,” Hicks

said. “Every time there’s a trial, it’s an emotional experience regardless of which side of the trial you’re on. I think it can be an amazing tool.” Griffin echoed Hicks’ praise. “I think it’s terrific and I’m excited about it,” he said. “I hope we can make it work. We’ve been discussing (courthouse dogs) for

Neighborhood Watch group meets with chief, councilor JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF REPORTER

Roswell Police Chief Alfonso Solis and City Councilor Barry Foster were guests at the South Missouri Avenue annual Neighborhood Watch meeting Thursday. Their presence allowed the group to voice its concerns about a recent incident, a case of criminal damage which occurred on Jan. 18. The group is located near Roswell High School, where witnesses reported seeing two subjects fleeing a residence in the 600 block of West McCune Street, after they heard what they described as “an explosion.” Watch Captain Julie Morrow referred to what they believe to be as students setting off a bomb. RPD Public Information Officer Erica

O’Bryon clarified that the grass in the backyard had been set on fire and aerosol cans thrown on the fire to cause the explosion. Windows were broken out on both the garage and the residence, and graffiti covered the garage door and floor. Damages were estimated at $3,000. Solis spoke first, saying, “I have a selfish interest in a safe community. I want to make an impact ... in a positive way.” He said crime is not that bad in Roswell in comparison to some other cities. “I want to take control of crime while it’s still a baby.” Foster expressed his sympathy over the incident on McCune, saying that his mother’s house had been vandalized.

wasn’t even discussed in the committee it was assigned. Ezzell said she plans to push the issue harder during this session and thinks she will have more success. “Why should we just back up and let a bunch of thugs, or whatever the case may be, rob us and do bodily har m to us?” Ezzell asked. “We should be able to defend.” The lawmaker says a similar bill is likely to be introduced in the Senate. mattarco@roswell-record.com

See DOGS, Page A3

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stepping up pressure on a stalwart but flawed Middle East ally, President Barack Obama said he personally told Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak Friday night to take “concrete steps” to expand rights inside the Arab nation and refrain from violence against protesters flooding the streets of Cairo and other cities. The White House suggested U.S. aid could be at stake. “Surely, there will be difficult days to come, but the United States will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and work with their government in pursuit of a future that is more just, more free and more hopeful,” Obama told reporters in the State Dining Room after speaking with the longtime leader from the White House. The president made his comments on television shortly after he and Mubarak spoke. The half-hour phone call was initiated by the White House. The conversation between the two leaders followed closely on a middle-ofthe-night TV speech in which Mubarak, in Cairo, announced he was sacking his government to form a new one that would accelerate reforms. At the same time, he said, violence by protesters would not be tolerated. Obama’s remarks capped a day in which his administration struggled to keep abreast of developments in Egypt, where Mubarak ordered police and then the military into the streets in response

Rollover

See OBAMA, Page A3

Mark Wilson Photo

Emergency crews respond to a two-vehicle accident on East Second Street, Thursday at around noon. New Mexico State Police say the driver of the blue sedan crossed over onto oncoming traffic and caused an SUV to roll over. Both drivers were transported to the hospital, with possible serious injuries inflicted to the driver of the sedan.

RPD’s Holley enjoys working with unique breed of horses See WATCH, Page A3

JESSICA PALMER ROSWELL STAFF WRITER

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INDEX

Courtesy Photo

Travis Holley, public information officer for the Roswell Police Department, poses with a horse.

As public infor mation of ficer for the Roswell Police Department, Travis Holley’s face and name are well known. Behind the public persona is a private person, a lover of horses and an aficionado of the rodeo. “My dad was raised on a racehorse training facility. I was introduced to horses at an early age. It fostered a love in me,” said Holley. In a sense, his father also bequeathed a career to Holley. “Dad was in the Navy, so we were all over the

place. When I was 3, dad went to the New Mexico State Police.” Holley has worked in the law enforcement community in Roswell for about 13 years. “Prior to going to work for the Sheriff’s Office in 1997, I worked on ranches and in feed yards,” Holley said. He graduated from high school in Artesia. Immediately after high school, Hol-

ley rode bulls in the rodeo until the age of 20. He admits to having been injured several times. “The worst,” he said, “was a broken jaw and separated ribs.” He referred to injuries as “part of the game.” After the rodeo, Holley began to work with cutting horses. “Thanks to good friends, I got a chance to work with top trainers.“ These trainers included John Tolbert and Pete Branch. He explained that both men are in the National Cutting Horse AssociaSee HOLLEY, Page A3


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