A South Carolina man, Jaremy Smith, pleaded guilty on Friday to charges related to the fatal shooting of New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare. The plea was entered in U.S. district court in Albuquerque as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors. Smith faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, with sentencing yet to be scheduled.
Smith had initially pleaded not guilty to charges including kidnapping resulting in a death, carjacking resulting in a death, using a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of a stolen firearm. A charge related to driving a stolen vehicle across state lines was dropped as part of the plea agreement.
