The District Attorney’s office will be taking another look at the police shooting that left 19-year-old Mary Hawkes dead.
The officer who shot her, Jeremy Dear, was fired for not turning on his lapel camp during the interaction with Hawkes.
The Hawkes family, including her father who is a well known judge, has always questioned if it was justified.
District Attorney Raul Torrez says there are clear facts that warrant the second review from a team of special prosecutors, but in a letter sent to Hawkes’ attorney he explains it may not change anything.
Back in 2014, Officer Dear claimed Hawkes — a suspected truck thief — fled on foot, then turned and pointed a gun at him before he shot her.
A gun was found near Hawkes’ body, but her family questions whether the gun was hers.
Earlier this year, Dear was cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting, because prosecutors say they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jeremy Dear did not believe Hawkes posed a threat.
Now, District Attorney Torrez says the Hawkes family attorney has provided new information, and there is enough for a secondary review. It is unclear what that additional information is.
In January, the Hawkes family settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the city for $5 million.
At this time, there’s no timetable for completing the second review of this case.
KRQE News 13 reached out to the Hawkes family’s attorney for comment, but have not heard back.
Related Coverage:
- Family of Mary Hawkes settles lawsuit with city, former officer
- Judge rules city was right to fire controversial Albuquerque cop
- Officer fired for repeatedly failing to turn on lapel camera sues APD
- Judge considers whether to order former APD officer to hand over his DNA
