Las Cruces—Today, District Court Judge Darren Kugler reduced bond for Ismael Montoya from $100,000 secured bond to $15,000. Montoya is charged in the stabbing death of David Escamilla on October 19, 2014.
Montoya has pleaded not guilty to first-degree child abuse resulting in death, second-degree murder, and aggravated battery, a third-degree felony.
Escamilla and Caldaza attended a party at a home on Bravo Road along with over 100 other people on October 19th. Montoya allegedly stabbed Escamilla at least six times and died en route to the hospital. Caldaza, also wounded, was treated and released.
In reducing bond the court cited the State of NM v William Brown case in which the defendant was charged with First degree felony murder and alternatively, Second-degree murder and yet bond was significantly reduced. Brown had been incarcerated for over 2 years awaiting trial, was monitored by a GPS device upon release and could not live independently of his parents due to developmental and intellectual disabilities.
District Attorney Mark D’Antonio stated: “It is still the District Attorney’s position that the facts in this case warranted $100,000 bond, as far as we know the facts haven’t changed. However, in the matter of bond the judge is the final decision maker.”
Information from Third Judicial District Court