Albuquerque –
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to pursuing justice, and starting March 23, 2026, four new jury trials will be taking place in Bernalillo County.
Clayton Thomas Benedict
Case Number: D-202-CR-2019-02101
- Felony Homicide (Voluntary Manslaughter)
On March 23, 2026, at 9:00 AM, a jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Clayton Thomas Benedict is scheduled to be held in Courtroom 416, presided over by Judge Jennifer J. Wernersbach.
Update:
A jury in Bernalillo County found former Uber driver Clayton Benedict, 39, not guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Although Benedict had admitted to the shooting death of 27-year-old James Porter in 2019, he had consistently maintained that he fired in self-defense.
On March 17, 2019, Benedict had picked up Porter and Porter’s boyfriend, Jonathan Reyes, from a local bar. Both individuals were intoxicated, and Reyes vomited “a large amount of vomit” on the back seat of Benedict’s car. An argument ensued between Porter and Benedict over a “clean-up fee” required under Uber policy to clean the car.
When Reyes appeared to vomit again, Benedict pulled over on the shoulder of Interstate 25, and all three individuals exited the car. Porter allegedly attempted to get into the driver’s seat, threatened to run over Benedict with his own car and was shot as Porter attempted to enter the front seat. Benedict reportedly fired at Porter through an open driver’s side window.
A June 2019 toxicology report had revealed Porter had the drug ecstasy and high levels of alcohol in his system when he was killed.
Andrew Wesley Taber Nickolis
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-01376
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Great Bodily Harm or Death)
On March 25, 2026, at 1:30 PM, Judge Cindy Leos will preside over a jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Andrew Wesley Taber Nickolis in Courtroom 420.
Leonardo Delgado
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-02220
- Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) x2
- Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) x2
On March 23, 2026, at 8:30 AM, a jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Leonardo Delgado is scheduled to be held in Courtroom 406, presided over by Judge Joseph A. Montano; the proceedings are set to continue on March 24, 2026, at 8:30 AM in the same courtroom before the same judge.
Jose Luis Bolivar Jr.
Case Number: D-202-CR-2025-03044
- Aggravated Stalking (Violation of Protection Order)
- Criminal Damage to the Property of a Household Member (Over $1,000)
Harassment - Violation of Restraining Order Prohibiting Domestic Violence x2
On March 23, 2026, at 9:00 AM, Judge Lucy Solimon will preside over the jury trial in the case of State of New Mexico v. Jose Luis Bolivar Jr. in Courtroom 606, and she will continue the proceedings on March 24 and March 25, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the same courtroom.
Courts presume that the defendant is innocent unless and until the prosecution secures a conviction through due process. This means the defendant remains legally not guilty unless the prosecution proves the charge beyond a reasonable doubt and a jury returns a verdict of guilty.
All charges mentioned are drawn from official New Mexico Courts/Odyssey filings for the listed cases. Booking photos and MDC links are included when available.
You can see the District Court schedule here:
https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/court-dockets/bernalillo-county-district-court-docket/
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