THE DEFENSE HAS RESTED ITS CASE IN THE 2ND DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF FORMER APD COPS DOMINIQUE PEREZ AND KEITH SANDY IN THE DEATH OF HOMELESS CAMPER JAMES BOYD. CLOSING ARGUMENTS START THURSDAY MORNING AT 10:00.
IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING BOYD’S SHOOTING DEATH IN THE SANDIA FOOTHILLS IN MARCH OF 2014, AUDIO SURFACED OF A CONVERSATION BETWEEN OFFICER SANDY AND A STATE POLICE OFFICER. IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER SANDY ARRIVED ON SCENE. IN THE RECORDING, SANDY APPEARS TO BE REFERRING TO BOYD AS A “LUNATIC.” IN TESTIMONY ON WEDNESDAY, SANDY EXPLAINED IT WAS A WORD HE USED BUT THAT HE NOW REGRETS. HE SAYS HE WAS MORE FOCUSED AT THE TIME ON JOKING WITH ANOTHER OFFICER.
BOYD WAS KILLED FOLLOWING A NEARLY FOUR-HOUR STANDOFF WITH POLICE. PEREZ AND SANDY SAY THEY FIRED ON BOYD BECAUSE HE WAS ARMED WITH TWO KNIVES AND A K-9 OFFICER WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STABBED.
