Mistrial For Former Cop Accused In Las Cruces Stabbing

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – A jury has deadlocked in the trial of man accused of a stabbing while he was a state police officer.

State District Judge Stephen Bridgforth declared a mistrial in Nicholas Zepeda’s case yesterday after jurors deliberated for nearly five hours in Las Cruces. Dona Ana County Chief Deputy District Attorney Susan Riedel says the case will be retried.

Zepeda had been charged with aggravated battery. He was accused of stabbing Daniel Reyes at a Las Cruces apartment complex during an August 9th, 2006, dispute that began at a Las Cruces bar. Zepeda, stationed in Espanola, was off duty at the time and attending a training class in Las Cruces.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)