Community Corner
🌱 ABQ Lawsuit Over Rape Kit Backlog + Teen Murder Sentencing?
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Albuquerque.
Hello again, Albuquerque! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Albuquerque Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Albuquerque Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Albuquerque long term. So if you're interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.
First, today's weather:
Mostly cloudy and mild. High: 69 Low: 43.
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Here are the top three stories today in Albuquerque:
- A local sexual assault survivor has filed a lawsuit against the City of Albuquerque over its current rape kit backlog. The plaintiff alleges that the city's nearly decadelong delay has "allowed her rapist to freely attack other women." She was attacked in 2010, but her rape kit was not tested until 2018. The woman's rapist was identified through the test as Victor Gonzales, who was eventually charged with multiple attacks on women that occurred between 2010 and 2012, while the evidence against him in this case remained untested. (Santa Fe New Mexican)
- A 13-year-old boy was back in court yesterday to discuss his sentencing options for the death of his middle school classmate. Juan Saucedo Jr. was arrested and charged with the August 2021 shooting and killing Benny Hargrove, his classmate at Washington Middle School. Prosecutors reportedly planned to asked for Saucedo to stay behind bars until age 21 since they cannot seek an adult sentence. They have not yet determined whether Saucedo's father will be charged for allegedly giving his son access to a gun. (KRQE News 13)
- A suspected Midnight Dukes street racer crashed his vehicle into an Albuquerque backyard last week — and now the homeowners are seeking thousands of dollars in damages. Late Thursday night, the driver's car flipped onto its side and landed in Mark Qurioz's backyard off of Paseo Del Norte and Golf Course. Quiroz said there were "chunks of cinder blocks were scattered everywhere," even into his neighbor's backyard. There were also parts of the car still in his yard the next day, including the driver's front bumper. (KOB)
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Today in Albuquerque:
- SM SETUP & Reception - Albuquerque Garden Center (8:00 AM)
- Thursday Birders - Central New Mexico Audubon Society (8:55 AM)
From my notebook:
- Save the date! Recyclothes is back for its 10th year the City of Albuquerque wants to go bigger than ever. Help the city by donating gently used clothing for K-12 students. (Instagram)
- Spring has sprung and so has a new DowntownABQ Gift Card promo! Purchase a $25 (or more) gift card and receive a FREE $25 gift card as well! (Instagram)
- Looking for a new home in the Albuquerque area? Check out this upcoming open house on Mountain Rd NW. (Albuquerque Patch)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!
— Dominique-Noelle Rafael
About me: Dominique is a self taught UX/UI designer based in Princeton, NJ. She recently graduated from the University of Maryland last spring with a bachelor's degree in Information Science. She is excited to begin working on the Patch newsletter project this year!