From the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office:
SANTA FE —Thursday, a jury found Jeannine Jaramillo guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in the March 2, 2022, deaths of Santa Fe Police Ofc. Robert Duran and retired Las Vegas Firefighter Frank Lovato. Other convictions include great bodily injury by vehicle, aggravated fleeing, possession of a stolen vehicle, and making a false report. The defendant faces up to two life sentences.
The 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office (FJDA) extends its gratitude to all the law enforcement officers and civilians who testified—each played a critical part in securing the conviction and bringing Jaramillo to justice. This includes DNA expert Corrine Byrdsong whose expedited testing and analysis was a lynchpin in securing charges; Sgt. Davin Barela, crash reconstruction expert, whose technical work and testimony were critical in connecting the sequence of events; Christopher Palenik Ph.D., whose microfiber testing and analysis proved that Jaramillo was driving when the driver’s side airbag deployed; and Sgt. Anthony Kemp who testified to his September 2021 investigation and encounter with Jaramillo in Cibola County, NM, which was evidence of Jaramillo’s motive, plan, preparation, knowledge, and intent on March 2, 2022.
The FJDA would like to thank the Santa Fe Police Department for its support and New Mexico State Police specifically, case agent Wyatt Harwell for his diligence and commitment to justice from beginning to end.
Finally, the FJDA extends its heartfelt gratitude to the jurors and alternative jurors for their unwavering attention and commitment throughout this process and to Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer for presiding over the proceedings.
The case drew significant attention due to the magnitude of individuals affected by Jaramillo’s criminal conduct and her total disregard for public safety.
“Jaramillo’s decision to feign a kidnapping, evade law enforcement, and then displace blame repeatedly is some of the most brazen disregard for the lives of others that I have seen in my career,” District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said.
District Attorney Carmack-Altwies, and her prosecution team, which included Chief Deputy Jennifer Padgett Macias, and Assistant District Attorney Paul Fourt are grateful for the work and support of the FJDA complex crimes unit, the investigative team, and victim advocates who helped ensure a successful trial. The FJDA remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and hopes that this outcome provides some measure of closure for the families and friends of the victims and for everyone impacted by this unimaginable tragedy.