New Mexico Supreme Court: ‘Overwhelming evidence’ in triple homicide
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico’s highest court has decided there is ‘overwhelming evidence’ to convict John D Powell for several first-degree murders. Powell was involved in the 2018 murders of three people in Dixon, New Mexico.
After being convicted in court, Powell appealed, arguing that he was acting “rash” during the killings because he was dealing with drug withdrawal. Powell argued the deaths were not premeditated.
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But the New Mexico Supreme Court says the jury had plenty of evidence that let them decide the killings were deliberate. The justices of the supreme court also note that surveillance video shows “precisely choreographed actions” that “demonstrate the type of careful thought sufficient for deliberation.”
Powell also argued that he shouldn’t have been convicted of aggravated burglary in connection to the killings because he had a right to enter the home. Powell had lived in the home before the incident, but Powell packed and removed his things before the incident, the New Mexico Supreme Court notes. So, Powell essentially terminated his lease and was therefore unauthorized to enter the home, the court says.
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Following the legal review, the justices of the supreme court affirmed Powell’s three first-degree murder convictions as well as a conviction for aggravated burglary. He was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences plus additional time, the Administrative Office of the Courts says. Powell’s brother was also sentenced to life in prison for his role in the event.
