SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld the convictions of a Bernalillo County man in connection with a fatal shooting at an Albuquerque motel in 2021.
In a unanimous decision issued Tuesday, the court affirmed the first‑degree felony murder conviction of Christopher Maldonado, along with his conviction for conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Maldonado was sentenced to life in prison plus three additional years.
Maldonado appealed the verdicts, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to support the convictions and that the jury was confused by the instructions given during the trial. Justice Michael E. Vigil, writing for the court, rejected those claims, ruling that the evidence presented was sufficient for a reasonable jury to find Maldonado guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case stems from the killing of Rony Carrera‑Flores, who was staying at an Albuquerque motel in 2021. Court records show Carrera‑Flores had discussed transporting illegal drugs and was later targeted in a planned robbery. Prosecutors said Maldonado entered the motel room armed with a gun and demanded property before shooting the victim during a struggle.
An accomplice in the case, Monique Montano, later entered into a plea agreement and testified that she conspired with Maldonado to commit the robbery. Maldonado argued that her testimony was unreliable. The court, however, ruled her account was corroborated by other evidence, including witness statements and surveillance footage.
The Supreme Court also addressed concerns about jury deliberations, noting that while jurors initially returned a second‑degree murder verdict, they later clarified and returned a felony murder conviction after reviewing verdict forms. The justices concluded the jury was properly instructed and not confused about the law.
With the ruling, Maldonado’s convictions and sentence remain in place.
