May 28 Update: James Montoya beat out Alma Trejo in a close runoff contest for the Democratic nomination for El Paso District Attorney. Montoya will face incumbent Republican Bill Hicks in the general election in November. The winner of that race will shape the future of the ailing office, which faces a staffing shortfall and case backlog.
Daniel Villegas stood shakily behind the defendant’s table, held up by his attorneys. He was already in tears as the bailiff handed the judge the jury’s written decision, trying to catch his breath with heaving gulps. When the judge read the words, “not guilty,” Villegas dropped like a stone.
