Jeannine Jaramillo appeals Santa Fe murder conviction at Supreme Court
Jeannine Jaramillo asked the state high court to overturn her double-murder convictions in Santa Fe. The challenge questions whether she is legally responsible for two deaths from a wrong-way police pursuit. She currently serves a life prison term.
In 2022, Jaramillo claimed an ex-boyfriend held her hostage in the passenger seat of her car. She told police he sped the wrong way on Interstate 25. Investigators said the evidence showed only Jaramillo occupied the vehicle.
The pursuit ended in a fatal collision. Officer Robert Duran thought Jaramillo faced danger. He chased her car through oncoming freeway traffic. Duran crashed into another vehicle.
The collision killed Duran and retired firefighter Frank Lovato. Jaramillo went to trial in 2024. Prosecutors presented letters Jaramillo sent to the New Mexico State Police. She claimed innocence in the letters and blamed Duran for the wreck.
Her defense attorney argues that the lethal act occurred when Duran crashed his patrol vehicle. Jaramillo argued the wreck was an accident rather than murder. Prosecutors said jurors determined she caused the deaths by fleeing the wrong way.
An appellate review in criminal cases focuses on whether the trial court made legal errors. State supreme courts evaluate oral arguments and written briefs from both sides. Justices then determine whether to affirm the verdict or remand the case.
The Santa Fe-based high court scheduled oral arguments for Wednesday afternoon. The court will hear arguments from the defense and the prosecution regarding the convictions.
