Five years after Antonio Jaramillo’s murder, those responsible have been sentenced, bringing some relief to his mother, Sally Sanchez.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A local mother says she won’t stop advocating for homicide victim’s families even after she received justice for her murdered son.
If you walk into Sally Sanchez’s Albuquerque home, you’ll notice ornaments, photos and stuffed animals. Each one holds a special place in her heart.
“It just, it’s comforting. I feel like he’s here in this bear,” Sanchez said.
“Tony bear” represents Sanchez’s son, Antonio Jaramillo. In 2020, police found him bound and shot execution-style in his home.
Now, the people responsible, are finally serving their sentences after a judge sentenced them last week.
Five suspects sentenced
Both Charles Robinson and Walter Eddings were sentenced to life in prison plus 24 years. The three other suspects recieved plea deals on the condition they testify in Robinson and Eddings’ joint trial.
Reyanon Duncan received the maximum under her plea deal, 18 years with five years of probation. Gabriel Blea received eight years in prison with five years of probation and Amber Carlton was sentenced to three years of probation.
The next step in the case is a restitution hearing.
Bringing the fight for justice to the Roundhouse
In the road to justice, Sanchez has gone through plea deals, a mistrial, a new trial and countless hearings.
“It feels good right to finally be able to say that I received justice for my son, but it’s hard for me to celebrate when I know that there’s so many other families who haven’t gotten there yet,” she said.
After her son died, Sanchez co-founded the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice. Every year the public safety advocates push for change at our Roundhouse so more families don’t go through their pain.
This year, they’re prioritizing juvenile justice. State Rep. Nicole Chavez (R-Bernalillo County) is part of the Crusaders and lost her son to gun violence in 2015.
She’s hoping to finally see some movement through a series of bills in this 30-day session.
“I hope that you know the unsealing of juvenile records, the juvenile firearm use and background check, the just adding in law enforcement as a victim of crime. You know, I hope that those are very simple wins that everybody wants,” Chavez said.
Public safety bill taken off House floor
Some of the public safety bills Chavez is sponsoring have been taken off the schedule.
HJR 2, which would change our state Constitution, was scheduled to go before the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee Tuesday. But Monday, Chavez said it was suddenly removed.
HJR 2 is a resolution to allow judges to deny bail for someone charged with a violent felony. KOB 4 has reported on it in the past few years. It’s called rebuttable presumption. Essentially, those suspects would be able to be released only if they could prove they wouldn’t be a danger to the community while awaiting trial.
Chavez said she wasn’t given a reason by Committee Chair Representative Joann Ferrary. Chavez doesn’t believe it will be rescheduled.
We should also note, a nearly identical bill sponsored by Chavez in last year’s session also died in the same committee.
The fight for justice continues
But even if they don’t get a win this legislative session, Sanchez said she won’t stop trying.
“I’m not done. I will be done the day that I take my last breath. This is my new calling. I believe now that that’s why I’m still here, is to be a voice for the people whose lives were taken from us,” Sanchez said.
The Crusaders are heading up to the Roundhouse next Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. on homicide victim day to talk about the impact of their loved one’s deaths and the issues they see in our justice system.
