Trial for ex-Sunland Mark Mayor Pro-Tem Daniel Salinas expected to start in March

Former Sunland Park Mayor Pro-Tem Daniel Salinas appeared in court Tuesday morning for a status conference.

Salinas’ El Paso attorney Joshua Spencer told ABC-7 he expects his client’s trial will take place in March 2014.

Salinas was arrested and charged in February 2012 with conspiracy to commit extortion and tampering with evidence during the Sunland Park Mayoral election.

Salinas also faces several other felony charges which include receiving kickbacks, fraud and ethics violations.

Salinas was one of several city employees connected to alleged corruption in an investigation by the Dona Ana County District Attorney’s office.

Spencer told ABC-7 he is still waiting for a judge to hear his motion to dismiss the indictments against Salinas. He also says there has been no motion by the state for severance which means as of now, Salinas could stand trial with as many as 10 other co-defendants.