/tags/justin-garcia Justin Garcia en-US Copyright Fri, 15 Jul 2022 01:47:03 GMT /local-news/2022-07-14/murder-charge-dropped-against-former-las-cruces-police-officer A judge Thursday dismissed a second-degree murder charge against former Las Cruces police officer Christopher Smelser. He was accused of killing Antonio Valenzuela with a controversial chokehold technique during a traffic stop in 2020. Justin Garcia, public safety reporter with the Las Cruces Sun-News who's been following the case closely, spoke with 91°µÍø about why it was the judge — not the jury — who declared Smelser not guilty. Fri, 15 Jul 2022 01:47:03 GMT /local-news/2022-07-14/murder-charge-dropped-against-former-las-cruces-police-officer Nash Jones