Las Cruces, NM—Inmate Eugene Bennett is held without Bond for attempted Murder of Detention Officer Roberto Madrid on June 17, 2021 at the Doña Ana County Detention Center. Bennet stabbed Officer Madrid several times with a make-shift knife or shank. Officer Madrid was transported to University Medical Center, he sustained multiple stab wounds to his face, ears and arm. The shank was found on Bennet and believed to be a piece of metal-sharpened on one end to a point. Bennet had been held awaiting trial on a Shooting at Dwelling and Criminal Damage to Property charges, the case was set for Jury Trial, August 19, 2021.
District Court Judge Driggers ordered Bennett Bond Over and Held without Bond. Officer Madrid testified at the hearing that he has damage to his ear, experiencing hearing loss and permanent damage to his nose. District Attorney Gerald Byers said “We will hold serious offenders accountable regardless of their status as prisoner or not. The NM Supreme Court emergency protocol order has recently been amended to allow for partial reopening of criminal in-person proceedings. During those months of COVID restrictions, those defendants held in detention were found dangerous to the community by the court. All along we have continued to hold hearings, we will see more relief when we transition from telephonic hearings to in-person hearings at the end of this month.”
Information from Office of the Third Judicial District Attorney