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Court rules hunter competent
Monday, April 21, 2008 5:09 PM MDT
GRANTS - Big game hunter Kirt L. Darner appeared before Judge Camille Martinez Olguin Friday morning and was found competent to stand trial on June 23.
Darner's earlier trial date was postponed when the judge dismissed the juror pool because she was informed that the accused was taking a prescribed medication that make him unable to assist in his defense.
Defense Attorney Billy Blackburn has filed six motions with the Thirteenth Judicial District Court. Three of those motions will be heard May 9 and the remainder will be heard on May 29 and 30.
In February of 2006, Darner was charged by the Thirteenth Judicial Grand Jury with two counts of receiving stolen property (more than $20,000), two counts of conspiracy to transport stolen livestock, three counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of transportation of stolen livestock (live bull elk), two counts of unlawful possession of big game (live bull elk), four counts of failure to submit an invoice for sale of game (live bull elk), failure to maintain minimum aggregate number of game (live bull elk) and four counts of failure to have two forms of identification and health certificates for the animals. The events surrounding the charges occurred between May 20, 2000, and Feb. 25 of 2005. Darner is charged with nine felonies. His attorney has filed a motion to exclude the felony charges.
Kirt's wife, Paula Darner, faces similar charges. They have both entered pleas of not guilty with the court and will be tried separately.
?We are ready to go to trial, we have been ready but all the delays have prevented us from getting to trial,? said District Attorney Lemuel Martinez. As for the motions filed Martinez added that the defense has filed standard motions on behalf of their client.
At the time of the charges the Darners owned and operated a 40-acre Lobo Canyon hunting ranch north of Grants.
According to a report, officers with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conducted a search of the Darner's home and vehicles in Feb. 2005. During that search the skull of a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and a Desert bighorn sheep were found in one of Darner's vehicles.
After a brief discussion Deputy District Attorney Randolph Collins and Blackburn informed the judge that the trial would take seven working days.
Monday, April 21, 2008 5:09 PM MDT
GRANTS - Big game hunter Kirt L. Darner appeared before Judge Camille Martinez Olguin Friday morning and was found competent to stand trial on June 23.
Darner's earlier trial date was postponed when the judge dismissed the juror pool because she was informed that the accused was taking a prescribed medication that make him unable to assist in his defense.
Defense Attorney Billy Blackburn has filed six motions with the Thirteenth Judicial District Court. Three of those motions will be heard May 9 and the remainder will be heard on May 29 and 30.
In February of 2006, Darner was charged by the Thirteenth Judicial Grand Jury with two counts of receiving stolen property (more than $20,000), two counts of conspiracy to transport stolen livestock, three counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of transportation of stolen livestock (live bull elk), two counts of unlawful possession of big game (live bull elk), four counts of failure to submit an invoice for sale of game (live bull elk), failure to maintain minimum aggregate number of game (live bull elk) and four counts of failure to have two forms of identification and health certificates for the animals. The events surrounding the charges occurred between May 20, 2000, and Feb. 25 of 2005. Darner is charged with nine felonies. His attorney has filed a motion to exclude the felony charges.
Kirt's wife, Paula Darner, faces similar charges. They have both entered pleas of not guilty with the court and will be tried separately.
?We are ready to go to trial, we have been ready but all the delays have prevented us from getting to trial,? said District Attorney Lemuel Martinez. As for the motions filed Martinez added that the defense has filed standard motions on behalf of their client.
At the time of the charges the Darners owned and operated a 40-acre Lobo Canyon hunting ranch north of Grants.
According to a report, officers with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conducted a search of the Darner's home and vehicles in Feb. 2005. During that search the skull of a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and a Desert bighorn sheep were found in one of Darner's vehicles.
After a brief discussion Deputy District Attorney Randolph Collins and Blackburn informed the judge that the trial would take seven working days.
