Albuquerque Police Kill Homeless Man: Justice Department Ends Probe

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The U.S. Justice Department is closing an investigation into the Albuquerque police killing of a New Mexico homeless man.

Former police officer and SWAT member Dominique Perez and now-retired Detective Keith Sandy were tried on second-degree murder charges in state district court in the 2014 shooting death of James Boyd. Boyd, who had a history of mental illness, was killed following an hours-long standoff with authorities after he was discovered camping illegally in the foothills bordering Albuquerque.

The case ended in a mistrial last year before state prosecutors cleared both officers. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The U.S. Justice Department announced Tuesday it was closing its investigation and that officials had met with Boyd's family and their representative to inform them of the decision. The agency said there wasn't enough proof to pursue criminal civil rights charges against the officers.

Attorney Luis Robles said Tuesday it was remarkable that it took more than three years to determine that video of the final moments of the standoff didn't tell the entire story — something he said he knew the night of the shooting.

Robles' client, Dominique Perez, has returned to work on administrative duty with the Albuquerque police force and is ready to write a new chapter in his life.

Members of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association are happy with the announcement. President Shaun Willoughby said fellow union members believe the Justice Department made the right call. He said the shooting was an unfortunate tragedy and that the officers were also victims due to the impact it had on their lives.

Civil rights advocates said they're disappointed in the decision.

Watchdog groups and others who have pushed for reforms within the Albuquerque police force said Tuesday that Boyd's death was a seminal moment in bringing a broader understanding of police use of force to the public.

Steve Allen with the American Civil Liberties Union in New Mexico says video that showed the final moments of the standoff were graphic and disturbing.

Allen says the focus now needs to be on addressing systemic deficiencies within the police department.

University of New Mexico professor David Correia, who led a 2014 sit-in over police shootings, said he wasn't surprised by the decision.

Photo credit: Albuquerque Police Department via AP