Some Gallup judges skip DWI meeting

GALLUP, N.M. (KRQE) - State and local leaders fighting drunken driving gathered for a town hall meeting Thursday night in Gallup although judges and a prosecutor criticized for not following state law were notable in their absence.

In those cases magistrate judges and the district attorney allowed DWI defendants to plead to lesser traffic charges. State law prohibits pleading down a DWI charge to a non-DWI offense.

“I was notified by the magistrate courts that they didn’t feel it was appropriate for them to come here tonight,” New Mexico DWI Czar Rachel O’Connor told KRQE News 13.

Three weeks ago News 13 exposed an ongoing problem with McKinley County District Attorney Karl Gillson reducing DWI charges for repeat offenders to minor traffic violations.

Several magistrate judges have approved the reduced plea deals for several years.

Community members expressed frustration over the actions of magistrate judges, who were not present to answer their questions.

Gillson declined to comment on after being approached three times on Thursday night by News 13. Gillson also evaded commenting on the matter when News 13 exposed the continued plea-reduction practices.

In September Scott Costley, 21, was killed by repeat drunken driver Daryl Begay in Gallup. Three years ago Begay avoided a stiff DWI charge in one of the plea deals.

Scott’s father Todd Costley was philosophical about the absence of the magistrate judges at Thursday night's town hall meeting.

“Well, that’s their prerogative,” Costley told News 13. “It starts somewhere, and I can’t really say it's all their fault.”

The majority of Thursday night’s meeting focused on jurisdictional issues between local law enforcement and tribal police.