Court to air Sanchez self-defense claim

LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) - A Valencia County man charged with murdering a suspected burglar could know early next month if the charge against him will stick.

A preliminary hearing to decide if there's enough evidence against Luke Sanchez to proceed to trial has been scheduled for Nov. 3.

The district attorney's office said it is still waiting for some information in the case but hopes to have it by the scheduled hearing date.

Sanchez is charged with an open count of murder for the death of Gary Gabaldón on July 4.

Sanchez told police he had gone out to buy fireworks when he saw Gabaldón and his cousin breaking into a propane company. He followed the pair while calling 911 and claimed he shot Gabaldón in self-defense during a confrontation before sheriff's deputies arrived.