Prosecutors in New Mexico’s Ninth Judicial District will not file charges against a man in Clovis, saying they cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not act in self‑defense.
Police launched a lengthy investigation after a vehicle crashed into a home. When officers arrived, they found Abel Abeyta suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital but later died from his injuries.
What’s notable is the way prosecutors are framing their decision. Their statement suggests they may believe the shooting was not self‑defense—but they lack the evidence necessary to convince a jury. In other words, they’re signaling doubt while simultaneously acknowledging the legal threshold they must meet.
The truth is that many shootings, including legitimate self‑defense cases, involve messy details that make prosecution difficult. Despite this, many prosecutors routinely pursue charges even when the likelihood of conviction is questionable. In this case, however, they appear to be stepping back because the evidence simply doesn’t support moving forward.
