Amy Orlando
The election of new Gov. Susana Martinez and the retirements of two district judges are leading to a shuffle among lawyers in Doña Ana County.
Martinez appointed Amy Orlando, formerly the deputy district attorney, to replace her as Doña Ana County’s district attorney. Orlando was sworn in on Jan. 1.
“I’m honored to have been appointed by Gov. Martinez to serve as the District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District,” Orlando was quoted by the Las Cruces Sun-News as saying. “Throughout my career as a prosecutor, I have worked with Gov. Martinez to put some of the most dangerous criminals behind bars – including child predators and murderers. Our charge has been to keep our communities safe, protect the most vulnerable among us and deliver justice for victims. This is a high calling, and I’m prepared to continue to deliver results for the people of southern New Mexico.”
In addition, three other prosecutors who worked for Martinez in the district attorney’s office are among 15 applicants for two district judgeships in Las Cruces.
From the Sun-News:
“Chief Deputy District Attorney Susan Riedel, Assistant District Attorney Richard Wellborn (who ran for a judicial vacancy last year) and Deputy District Attorney Jacinto Palomino are among the candidates.
“Other candidates are attorneys Marci E. Beyer, Keith S. Burn, Rosanne Camu-ez, Randy M. Castellano, Frank N. Chavez, John P. Cosentino, Richard M. Jacquez, William M. Kinsella Jr., Francisco M. Ortiz, Anthony C. Potter, Edith M. Reeves and Daniel Sosa III.”
A judicial nominating commission will interview the candidates next week and make recommendations to Martinez, who will appoint two judges to replace Stephen Bridgforth and Jerald A. Valentine.