The following is a news release from the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office:
Ninth Judicial District Attorney, Andrea Reeb, announced that Joshua Daniel Romero, age 30 of Clovis; was found guilty Friday by a Curry County jury of Kidnapping, a first degree felony; 2 counts of Aggravated Battery on a Household Member causing great bodily harm; Interference with Communications; Battery, Resisting Arrest; and Intimidation of a Witness.
On July 26, 2016, Clovis Police responded to a call of a female that had been beaten and strangled by her estranged boyfriend, Joshua Romero. Romero had battered her for over an hour and choked her to unconsciousness several times using his hands and a computer cord. The victim was finally able to escape and call for help after Romero fell asleep. The State presented testimony from an expert on strangulation. The jury deliberated for about 45 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on all counts.
The Honorable Fred Van Soelen presided over the one-day trial and ordered that Romero undergo a diagnostic evaluation at the Department of Corrections. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. Romero faces a maximum of 45 ½ years in prison. The defendant has four previous felony convictions, including one for domestic violence against another victim.
District Attorney, Andrea Reeb prosecuted the case for the State of New Mexico. Criminal Defense Attorneys Jennifer Birmingham and Jeremiah Hall of the Public Defender’s Office represented Romero.
(News release from the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office)
