A southeastern New Mexico prosecutor is considering whether two Santa Fe police officers will face any charges in the nonfatal shooting of a motorist.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Roswell-based District Attorney Janetta B. Hicks says she expects to decide on possible charges by early next year.
The case was handed off to Hicks by Santa Fe District Attorney Angel "Spence" Pacheco after a grand jury concluded that the shooting of an unarmed 25-year-old man in the face wasn't justified.
According to authorities, Roberto Mendez was shot in the cheek at a convenience store in August 2013 when Officers John DeBaca and Stephen Fonte fired on the SUV that Mendez was driving.
Reports said the SUV was backing up and the officers jumped out of the way.
Information from: Albuquerque Journal.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.