In each of the recent, highly publicized domestic violence cases, the couples lived in housing projects, trailer parks and other less-than-chic corners of Santa Fe. This fact appeared to confirm what some already assume. But those who work in the field—knocking on doors after the neighbors hear screaming, consoling a weeping woman afraid for her life—know nothing could be further from the truth.

SFR has learned that one of the principals in the company that wants taxpayers to help build a cinema in the Railyard has been charged several times with writing bad checks. But Richard Jaramillo’s background is not the only suspicious thing about Railyard Co LLC.

It may be the most important local official you don’t get to vote for (at least not right away)—a person who can ruin lives with the thwack of a gavel. At 8:30 am on Nov. 5, a select group of 17 men and women will meet at the courthouse on Catron Street in Santa Fe to evaluate the candidates to replace retiring 1st Judicial District Judge James Hall.

SFR has reported how the recession has come with an increase in domestic violence cases, many unusually brutal. Now, the down economy threatens to wipe out any progress that’s been made in reforming police and court procedures. 

The “fathers’ rights” narrative goes something like this: Family courts, cowed by decades of feminist activism, are biased against anyone with a Y chromosome. A few brave men, undaunted by the forces of feminist oppression, are fighting for their rights as fathers—and for the rights of all male-kind. 

Despite the rash of class-action lawsuits that have required Kitec manufacturer, Ipex Inc., and contractors who installed it to reimburse residents and re-plumb entire communities—a Nevada court ordered one builder to pay $27 million—residents of troubled Santa Fe development Villa de la Paz haven’t seen a dime.

Ten years ago, New Mexico State Police Officer Marvyn Jaramillo was pulled over by a Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputy for speeding. He flunked a sobriety test. His loaded shotgun lay behind his seat. The high rates of domestic violence by first responders is well-documented, if somewhat taboo

Crime, cows and Coffee with Coss.