Ex-New Mexico officer facing murder charge over chokehold
Source: Associated Press
Russell Contreras, Associated Pre
Updated 7:16 pm CDT, Thursday, July 16, 2020
Photo: Las Cruces Police Department, AP
This undated photo provided by the Las Cruces Police Department shows former Las Cruces Police officer Christopher Smelser, who has been charged with second-degree murder after authorities say he killed a detainee he had placed in a chokehold. State Attorney General Hector Balderas said Thursday, July 16, 2020, he has filed the charge against Smelser in the death of Antonio Valenzuela. (Las Cruces Police Department via AP)
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A former police officer in New Mexico was charged Thursday with second-degree murder after authorities said he killed a Latino detainee he had placed in a chokehold.
State Attorney General Hector Balderas said he filed the charges against former Las Cruces police officer Christopher Smelser in the death of Antonio Valenzuela.
Police say Smelser applied the chokehold after a foot chase in February when Valenzuela fled during a traffic stop.
After the chase, Smelser can be heard on police video saying, “I’m going to (expletive) choke you out, bro.”
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Ex-New-Mexico-officer-facing-murder-charge-over-15414288.php
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