The Latest: New Mexico man convicted in officer’s death

LOS LUNAS, N.M. – The Latest on the trial for a New Mexico man charged in the death of a Rio Rancho police officer ((all times local):

4 p.m.

A New Mexico man has been convicted in the shooting death of a suburban Albuquerque police officer during a traffic stop.

Jurors handed down a guilty verdict Friday against Andrew Romero after a short deliberation. The 29-year-old was charged with first-degree murder in the May 2015 death of Rio Rancho Officer Gregg Benner.

The case was moved from Sandoval County to 40 miles south in Valencia County because of extensive media coverage of the case.

In their closing, prosecutors said Romero was not too high on drugs to know what he was doing.

Defence attorneys say just because Romero’s DNA was on the gun, it didn’t prove Romero fired it.

Romero faces life without parole if convicted. Sentencing is scheduled in two weeks.

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3:15 p.m.

The fate of a New Mexico man charged in the shooting death of a suburban Albuquerque police officer is now in the hands of a jury.

Jurors began deliberations Friday in a case involving Andrew Romero. The 29-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in the May 2015 death of Rio Rancho Officer Gregg Benner.

The case was moved from Sandoval County to 40 miles south in Valencia County because of extensive media coverage of the case.

In their closing, prosecutors said Romero was not too high on drugs to know what he was doing.

Defence attorneys say just because Romero’s DNA was on the gun, it didn’t prove Romero fired it.

Romero could face life without parole if convicted.