Luis Talamantes-Romero found guilty of Jacqueline Vigil’s murder

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A jury found Luis Talamantes-Romero guilty of all charges he faced for Jacqueline Vigil’s murder.

An officer placed Talamantes-Romero in handcuffs as Judge Britt Baca-Miller read the jury’s verdict. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon. It took the jury just four hours to deliberate.

The jury also found him guilty of attempted armed robbery, tampering with evidence, larceny and conspiracy to tamper with evidence and commit aggravated burglary.

Vigil’s husband found her shot and killed in their driveway in November 2019. She was the mother of two New Mexico State Police officers.

It was an emotional trial for Vigil’s family. The state played the initial 911 call several times during the trial and they also played the lapel footage as officers arrived on scene. On Wednesday, the Vigil family said they got the justice they’ve been waiting for.

“We finally got justice for my mom,” said Kevin Dieguez, Vigil’s son. “I would like to say thank you to my dad for fighting… you fought very hard, every day, you loved her very much.”

Following the verdict, family members held a press conference alongside the attorney gneral’s office.

Vigil’s husband, Sam, believes she is at peace now that Talamantes-Romero is off the streets.

“Those of us that are victims of these horrible crimes – it is a step forward, but there will always be that void that was created for us that we try to fill,” Sam said.

Sam also took a moment to thank the prosecution team for all of their hard work.

“I can’t stop talkin about how well they put together the case, and I think that’s what brought victory for Jacque, you know,” Sam said.

The family also thanked former DA’s office investigator Kyle Hartsock for his work on the case.

The sentencing hearing for Talamantes-Romero will be May 31. He faces up to life plus 31 1/2 years in prison.