New Mexico DOJ requests deposition for former NMSU players in hazing case

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- The New Mexico Department of Justice filed a motion Friday requesting motions for depositions for former NMSU men's basketball players Kim Aiken Jr. and Doctor Bradley after Deshawndre Washington missed court Aug. 3.

A deposition is sworn oral testimony given out of a court. It carries the same legal weight as testifying in a courtroom.

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office previously charged Washington, Bradley and Aiken with a combined 37 felony sex crimes tied to a hazing scandal.

Washington delayed his trial by failing to appear in court. He was later seen playing in a basketball tournament in Lebanon. His agency told ABC-7 he had issues returning to the U.S. for court due to conflict in the Middle East.

According to documents, Aiken entered a plea agreement in December 2024 and agreed to testify against his former teammates "in exchange for a guilty plea to lesser charges."

Bradley entered a plea agreement in October 2024 under the same conditions, documents said.

According to documents ABC-7 obtained, the deposition said.

Documents and Aiken and Bradley were ready to testify Aug. 3, but couldn't due to Washington's absence.

The deposition requests cited a rule that said depositions may be taken by agreement of the parties or by the order of the court upon showing it's necessary to take the person's deposition to prevent injustice.

Instead of asking to admit the content of the deposition at trial, NM DOJ is asking to preserve testimony in case the matter proceeds to trial in the future, and the witnesses aren't available for trial.

In the final point, the documents said the counsel for the defendants opposes the relief request.

ABC-7 has reached out to the attorneys representing Aiken and Bradley and victims' families for comment.