Sentencing Hearing Juvenile Defendant

After two years and two jury trials, Judge Ellington sentenced a Rio Arriba youth to two years at New Mexico Youth Diagnostic Development Center (YDDC).  On November 6, 2024, a jury found the youth guilty of “Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle Causing Death” that led to the death of Reuben Trujillo. After the trial the Court held an amenability hearing where the State argued that the juvenile should be sentenced as an adult. The Court disagreed and sentenced the juvenile as a child.

At the sentencing hearing, six members of Trujillo’s family delivered powerful and emotional victim impact statements expressing their profound grief and trauma from the loss of a beloved family member, friend, and cherished community member. In their written statements to the court, family friends described Rueben and urged Judge Ellington to consider the impact of the gun violence epidemic, especially among youth in our communities, when sentencing the juvenile.

DA Arwen Gaddis addressed the Court explaining that despite the court finding the juvenile amenable to treatment he should still be held accountable for his actions.  The principles of the New Mexico Children’s Code prioritize rehabilitation in juvenile cases, yet Gaddis urged the court not to overlook the gravity of the crime, stating, “we cannot ignore the fact that a life was taken.” Under the laws of the juvenile justice system, the focus is always on the treatment and rehabilitation of an offender, regardless of the severity of the crime.  This means that dispositions may sometimes seem incongruous to the acts committed by the delinquent child.

“This case is a tragic reminder of how youth gun violence affects families and our entire community,” said First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.

The FJDA is grateful to the support shown by the family of Reuben Trujillo.  Their consistent presence throughout the process of seeking justice was crucial to attaining this outcome, and their resilience does not go unnoticed.

The FJDA appreciates DA Gaddis and ADA Jeanine Salustri for their commitment and diligence, and to their trial team for their work to prepare and present this case in two jury trials. FJDA would also like to recognize Victim Advocates Christine Fitzsimmons and Daniela Martinez who supported the family with empathy and compassion through this painstaking court process.