Convicted Murderer Strikes Again, Man Charged with New Murder in Fatal Stabbing Near ART Bus Platform

Albuquerque –

Albuquerque Police have charged 56-year-old Bernest Benjamin with open count murder and resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer in connection with a fatal stabbing near the ART bus station at Central Ave and Louisiana Blvd SE.

According to a criminal complaint, APD officers were called to the area shortly before 10 PM on December 16, 2025, after a man was found unresponsive in the roadway outside a Kentucky Fried Chicken. Albuquerque Fire Rescue attempted lifesaving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene from a stab wound to the chest.

Investigators say multiple witnesses were present at the scene, including a City of Albuquerque bus driver and a contracted Metro security guard who were on a city bus stopped near the location. The bus driver used his transit radio to alert his dispatch, who then notified the APD dispatch. This prompted the police and emergency personnel to respond. A Transit Police Service Aid (PSA) attempted to assist the victim while simultaneously using his radio to relay descriptions of a potential suspect provided to him by a security guard on the bus to APD Dispatch. The security guard reported seeing a man matching Benjamin’s description walking away from the area holding a knife moments before the victim was discovered.

Police say surveillance video from the ART bus station shows an altercation between two men shortly before the victim collapsed. The footage allegedly depicts Benjamin following the victim off a city bus. Bemest is seen on video stepping up to this victim and lunging at him, causing the victim to trip over his bike and fall to the ground (image below).

According to the complaint, “Benjamin is seen then towering over the victim while appearing to speak at him. The victim places his hands up and appears to be in fear of Benjamin, who is still holding a knife.” (Image below)

The criminal complaint then says “As the video continues, Benjamin is seen lunging towards the victim after he stands back up Benjamin strikes him with his left arm, then moments after he swings his right arm in an aggressive, fast motion at the victim, striking him in the chest.” (Image below)

The complaint states that “the victim then walks away from Benjamin and collapses moments later on the ground on Central.” (Image below)

After a brief foot-chase, APD officers located Benjamin a short distance from the scene near Zuni Rd SE and Alcazar St SE, wearing clothing consistent with witness descriptions and video evidence. During a search incident to arrest, police say a black knife was recovered and what appeared to be blood was observed on his shoes and ankle. Authorities also confirmed Benjamin had an outstanding felony warrant at the time of his arrest.

Benjamin declined to give a statement to detectives. The victim has not yet been publicly identified.

Prior Criminal History

On July 7, 2025, Burnest Benjamin (aka Benjamin Bernest or Bernest Benjamin) was charged with Larceny (Over $500 but not more than $2,500), Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (Resisting), and Trafficking Controlled Substances (Possess with Intent to Distribute)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Off.). He was booked for these charges on July 7, 2025 and he pleaded not guilty. He was released on his own recognizance on July 8th. On August 5, a bench warrant was issued for Benjamin as he failed to appear for a court ordered appointment. The court logs show that as of August 15, 2015 the “Warrant Never Activated.”

On August 12, 2025, the charges from July 7, 2025 were “BINDOVER”. On August 22, 2025, Benjamin pleaded not guilty. On December 2, 2025, he was granted interim conditions of release for the August charges, likely because he was booked into MDC on unrelated charges. Two of the conditions included: “Do not violate any federal, state, tribal, or local laws” and “Will not possess firearms or dangerous weapons.” On December 3, 2025, the state filed a “motion to revoke conditions of release pursuant to Rule 5-403 NMRA.” Approximately 35 hours before the murder at the ART platform, a warrant was issued on December 15, 2025, at 11:33 AM.

On November 21, 2025, he was charged with disorderly conduct, booked on November 22, 2025, and pleaded not guilty. On November 22, 2025, he was again given interim conditions of release for this charge, one of which included: “Not to violate any federal, state, or local criminal law.” On that same day, he was released on his own recognizance on the disorderly conduct charge. A bench trial is scheduled for January 16, 2026.

On November 23, 2025, he was charged with Criminal Damage to Property (Under $1000). Benjamin is accused of causing significant damage to glass doors and windows at UNMH after allegedly punching doors and windows near the main UNM Hospital entrance, according to UNM Police. Per court records, he was never arrested. A bond arraignment for this charge is scheduled for January 22, 2026.

On November 26, 2025, he was arrested for Attempt to Commit a Felony, to wit: Robbery and Battery. He was booked on November 27, 2025. On December 1, 2025, the District Attorney’s Office filed a “Temporary Detention Order (In a Prior Pending Case in Another Court)” which made mention that the “Defendant is on conditions of release in Case No. D-202-CR-2025-2840” and “Defendant is alleged to have violated conditions of release in Case No. D-202-CR-2025-2840.” The case they are referencing is the one from August 12, 2025, when Benjamin was charged with Larceny (Over $500 but not more than $2,500), Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (Resisting), and Trafficking Controlled Substances (Possess with Intent to Distribute)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Off.).

According to a December 2, 2025, Pretrial Services public safety assessment, Benjamin was classified as a high risk for failure to appear. Despite that assessment, he was released on his own recognizance on December 3, 2025.

In the related proceedings, the judge presiding over the November 26 case entered a temporary detention order on December 1, citing a belief that Benjamin had violated the conditions of his release connected to that case and to charges filed on August 12. Information suggests that the judge assigned to the August 2025 case was responsible for seeking revocation or modification of Benjamin’s release for noncompliance; however, this action does not appear to have occurred until December 11, when the judge from the August 12th case issued a “Non-Compliance Report/Affidavit.” A warrant was subsequently issued on December 15.

It remains unclear why Benjamin was released on December 3, given that the terms of release issued that day—and in prior cases—required that he not violate any federal, state, or local criminal law. A status conference in the November case is scheduled for January 5, 2026.

On April 30, 2018, Benjamin was charged with an open count of first-degree murder. In February 2019, he pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to two years and six months of incarceration, with one year and six months suspended, likely accounting for the 277 days already served and earned good-time credit. As a result, Benjamin’s actual term of incarceration was one year at the Metropolitan Detention Center, followed by one year of parole. The District Attorney of Bernalillo County from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2022 was Raúl Torrez.

Benjamin has an extensive criminal history going back to 1987.