A 15-year-old youth is accused of fatally shooting a 30-year-old man in Truth or Consequences.
District Attorney Clint Wellborn said a judge ruled during a preliminary hearing Thursday that the youth must stand trial as an adult on an open count of murder and a tampering with evidence charge.
State police said the youth surrendered soon after the Sept. 20 shooting death of Jonathan Regalado and that Regalado and the youth had an "on-going disagreement."
The Associated Press is not identifying the youth because of his age.
Wellborn said the youth would face up to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder and lesser penalties if convicted of a lesser crime such as second-degree murder.
Defense attorney Lee Deschamps did not immediately respond to a request comment.
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