It’s a sad day when justice takes a back seat to the law (subscription):
A Bernalillo County district judge ruled Monday that Albuquerque police illegally searched the home of Ronald Santiago, who is accused of killing the couple in their home in August 2005.
A bullet casing found in Santiago’s South Valley home connected him to the double homicide.
Santiago was indicted in August 2006 on two counts of first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the deaths of John and Bernadette Ohlemacher, both 46.
The couple were found shot to death in their bedroom early in the morning.
Judge Albert S. “Pat” Murdoch said APD’s search was illegal because it was executed after 10 p.m. with a daytime warrant. Searches after 10 p.m. need special authorization from a judge.
Gee, thanks Judge Murdoch.