Accused child murderer attacked in jail

CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE) - The notorious Noe Torres, alleged to have killed a 10-year-old Clovis boy in his sleep, was attacked in jail Thursday by a man claiming he's the victim's cousin.
     
The fight happened in the Curry County Detention Center, a jail that's become known for big problems like escapes and fights. It's also a jail many warned shouldn't be used to house Torres.

So how did this happen?

The high-profile murder suspect was brought to the jail in Clovis Thursday. There, officials said he was attacked by inmate Richard Silva, who claims to be the cousin of murder victim Carlos Perez.

"Mr. Torres was treated at the facility," Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler said.  "He did not need to be transported to the hospital for any significant injuries."

The former international fugitive is accused of killing Perez in 2005 while shooting at a Clovis apartment where Perez was sleeping.
     
Investigators have said they believe the boy's older brother was the intended target. Torres bolted to Mexico and became known for taunting officials while on the run. He was finally captured in Mexico in July .

"Taken in light the history of the case, Mr. Torres' background, as well as the fact that he fled from the U.S. and was on the run for quite some time, I elected to file a motion to keep him housed in New Mexico Department of Corrections at a maximum facility," Chandler said

Both the governor's office and Chandler agree Torres should be in a maximum-security facility. However, Chandler said Torres was brought to Curry County for hearings scheduled for Monday.

His first day there, according to the Curry County undersheriff said, Silva attacked Torres while the two were housed near each other. The undersheriff identified Silva as the slain boy's cousin although Chandler said they have not been able to confirm that relationship.

Waller said Silva asked jail staff if he could go to the bathroom, and as he passed Torres, Silva reportedly began punching Torres as he was secured to a bench.

A spokesperson for the governor's office said the fight is a concern considering problems the jail has had with fights and escapes in the past.
     
KRQE News 13 sought a response from jail administrators but had not heard back by deadline Friday afternoon.

The Curry County Sheriff's Office is investigating the fight. Waller said Silva will likely be charged with battery. Chandler said Torres will return to the Department of Corrections once his hearings are done.  

While he still faces a murder trial, one of Carlos Perez' killers has already been convicted, and he's one of the people that gave the Curry County jail such a bad name.
     
Edward Salas was convicted of the boy's murder, but in 2008 he escaped through the roof of the jail after getting into an unlocked closet. He also ended up in Mexico and was captured there on Oct. 4 .