South Carolina man pleads guilty to the carjacking and killing of a New Mexico police officer A South Carolina man pleaded guilty Friday to charges that he gunned down a New Mexico state police officer who had stopped to help him, marking a turning point in a case that had been set for trial later this year.
He also lamented that New Mexico's current statutes fall short of federal punishments for violent crimes like killing a police officer and that state leaders need to do more to hold repeat offenders accountable.
New Mexico Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie said after the court hearing that his department and state police officers will continue to stand with Hare's family throughout the sentencing process.
He also is charged in South Carolina in the killing of a paramedic there whose stolen car was involved in the officer’s killing in New Mexico.
Smith had pleaded not guilty last year to several charges that included kidnapping resulting in a death; carjacking resulting in a death; using a firearm during the commission of violent crime; and possession of a stolen firearm.
