Several push for Kendra's Law in NM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - On Monday officials representing several groups renewed the push to create Kendra's Law in New Mexico, which would require some residents inflicted with mental illnesses to take their medication.

The effort comes one day before the four year anniversary of the John Hyde murders.

On Aug. 18, 2005, Hyde—a mentally ill man who was not on his medication—killed five people in one day.

Albuquerque city leaders, community organizations and state lawmaker Joanie Gutierrez joined together Monday to push the law again.

Gutierrez said she will sponsor the bill in the upcoming legislative session. The bill has failed to pass several times before.

After the Hyde murders, the City of Albuquerque passed its own version of Kendra's Law, but it was later thrown out by the state court of appeals.

Albuquerque Police Department Officer Carol Oleksak is a strong supporter of the law. In 2003, she was shot by a mentally ill man she was trying to help. That man was not on his medication.

Under Kendra's Law, a mentally ill person who may be violent can be forced to take their medication.

"As a police officer I've arrested these people over and over and over again but they get before judge and they don't have control to send them to jail. Therefore they turn them loose," Oleksak said.

Oleksak said that the law would only apply to a small percentage of the mentally ill.

New Mexico is one of eight states that does not have the law.