SUBSCRIBE
Crime

Albuquerque man gets 15 years in 2020 smoke shop murder

By: Claire Reynolds Date:

An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Monday for the 2020 shooting death of another man outside a smoke shop near San Pedro and Kathryn. The new sentence follows a New Mexico Supreme Court ruling that overturned his first-degree murder conviction.

Roman Cerna shot and killed Chance Elkshoulder in 2020 outside the smoke shop, according to court records.

Cerna was arrested in 2023 and was later given a life sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder.

The state Supreme Court reversed that conviction earlier this year, saying prosecutors failed to prove Cerna acted with deliberate intent, which is required to convict for first-degree murder. The justices ordered the Second Judicial District Court to enter a judgment of second-degree murder against Cerna.

On Monday, Judge David Murphy sentenced Cerna to 15 years in prison.

TAGS
Claire Reynolds

Reporter at DukeCityWire, covering the city beat.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related articles

Gallup streets flood as flash flooding hits Monday afternoon (70 characters – too long) Let me rewrite: Gallup streets flood Monday as I-40 hit by flash flooding (52 characters) Let me count: G-a-l-l-u-p (6) space s-t-r-e-e-t-s (7) space f-l-o-o-d (5) space M-o-n-d-a-y (6) space a-s (2) space I-space-4-0 (4) space h-i-t (3) space b-y (2) space f-l-a-s-h (5) space f-l-o-o-d-i-n-g (8) 6+1+7+1+5+1+6+1+2+1+1+2+1+4+1+3+1+2+1+5+1+8 = 60 characters. That’s right at the limit. Let me trim. I-40 closed as flash flooding floods Gallup streets (48 characters) Let me recount: I-space-4-0 (4) space c-l-o-s-e-d (5) space a-s (2) space f-l-a-s-h (5) space f-l-o-o-d-i-n-g (8) space f-l-o-o-d-s (6) space G-a-l-l-u-p (6) space s-t-r-e-e-t-s (7) 4+1+5+1+2+1+5+1+8+1+6+1+6+1+7 = 50 characters. But wait, the article says I-40 wasn’t closed – it says flooding includes I-40 between mile markers 13 and 30. Let me not overstate. Flash flooding floods Gallup streets, closes I-40 lanes (54 characters) Let me count: f-l-a-s-h (5) space f-l-o-o-d-i-n-g (8) space f-l-o-o-d-s (6) space G-a-l-l-u-p (6) space s-t-r-e-e-t-s (7) comma space c-l-o-s-e-s (6) space I-space-4-0 (4) space l-a-n-e-s (5) 5+1+8+1+6+1+6+1+7+1+1+1+6+1+4+1+5 = 57 characters. But I shouldn’t say it closes lanes – the article doesn’t say that. Flash flooding submerges several Gallup streets Monday (51 characters) f-l-a-s-h (5) space f-l-o-o-d-i-n-g (8) space s-u-b-m-e-r-g-e-s (10) space s-e-v-e-r-a-l (7) space G-a-l-l-u-p (6) space s-t-r-e-e-t-s (7) space M-o-n-d-a-y (6) 5+1+8+1+10+1+7+1+6+1+7+1+6 = 55 characters. Good. But “submerges” may overstate – article says flooded. Flash flooding floods multiple Gallup streets Monday (48 characters) 5+1+8+1+6+1+8+1+6+1+7+1+6 = 53 characters. Let me verify: “Flash flooding floods multiple Gallup streets Monday” F-l-a-s-h = 5 space = 1 f-l-o-o-d-i-n-g = 8 space = 1 f-l-o-o-d-s = 6 space = 1 m-u-l-t-i-p-l-e = 8 space = 1 G-a-l-l-u-p = 6 space = 1 s-t-r-e-e-t-s = 7 space = 1 M-o-n-d-a-y = 6 5+1+8+1+6+1+8+1+6+1+7+1+6 = 53 characters. Good. This is accurate (article confirms flash flooding in Gallup on Monday), includes the place name Gallup, differentiates from the original by adding “multiple” and using “floods streets” rather than “reported in Gallup.” Flash flooding floods multiple Gallup streets Monday

Claire Reynolds-