Court records: Suspect in NMSP officer’s murder is set to change his plea
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Federal court records show the suspect in the alleged murder of a New Mexico State Police officer is set to change his plea next week.
Jaremy Smith is accused of killing NMSP Officer Justin Hare on the side of I-40 near Tucumcari back in March. Investigators said Hare was trying to help Smith deal with what appeared to be a flat tire. Smith then took off in Hare’s vehicle before crashing it.
For more than two days, law enforcement agencies in New Mexico and surrounding areas looked for him. Then, a Murphy’s gas station employee offered a tip to law enforcement that ultimately led to them capturing Smith in Albuquerque.
A month later, a federal grand jury indicted Smith on a plethora of charges for the alleged murder. Smith subsequently pleaded not guilty.
Records show a hearing for Smith to change his plea is scheduled for Jan. 17.
Jaremy Smith faces charges of:
- Carjacking resulting in death
- Causing death by the discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime
- Kidnapping resulting in death
- Being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Interstate transport of a stolen vehicle
Smith is also charged with murder in South Carolina for allegedly killing a paramedic. He is currently behind bars.
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