Ninth Judicial District Attorney, Andrea Reeb, announced that Aaron Joshua Morrisette, age 31, of Clovis, opted to plead guilty on what was to be the first day of a three-day trial. On March 20, 2017, Morrisette pleaded guilty to the charges of Armed Robbery, a second degree felony; Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon Against a Household Member, a third degree felony; Assault with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony, a third degree felony; Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle, a fourth degree felony; and Tampering with Evidence, a third degree felony.
In June of 2016, Morrisette took the victim against her will stabbing her and leaving her for dead in the middle of a street in southwest Clovis. Morrisette left the scene in the victim’s car with her purse and keys, and hid out at a residence in Clovis. The victim had been stabbed multiple times and was bleeding profusely when an individual saw her and called for help. The victim was later airlifted to a Lubbock hospital in critical condition. Morrisette was arrested the next day after a standoff with the Clovis Police Department SWAT team.
At the sentencing hearing today, the Honorable Matthew Chandler heard emotional statements from the victim and family members. The defendant refused to speak, but did ask his attorney, Thomas A. Harden, to relay to the victim that he was sorry. Judge Chandler stated to Morrisette about his lengthy criminal history, “Your actions are inexcusable and repetitive. You have been given chances for rehabilitation and to participate in society, but you continue to hurt people.” Judge Chandler sentenced Morrisette to the maximum of 59 ½ years. The sentence included enhancements under the habitual offender statute. Three of the charges are serious violent offenses which mean Morrisette will have to serve 85% of the sentence before being considered for parole.
District Attorney, Andrea Reeb and Assistant District Attorney Kristen Beltran prosecuted the case for the State of New Mexico. Thomas Harden, Criminal Defense Attorney, represented Morrisette.
For more information, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at 575-769-2246.
(News release from Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office)
