Mother Continues Fight for Justice After Mistrial in Murder Case

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A mother is continuing her fight for justice after a mistrial was declared in her son’s alleged execution-style murder case.

But the mistrial has nothing to do with the lawyers or the suspects.

“I’m not trying to be complacent. But this same man was still asleep yesterday. He said out loud on multiple occasions that he didn’t care anymore and that he just wanted it done,” Judge Jennifer Wernersbach said Wednesday. “Based on various issues that were raised during the jury’s deliberations and the defense’s motion, there is now a need for a mistrial.”

The decision once again delayed justice in the murder of Antonio Jaramillo, who prosecutors say was tied up and killed in his own home in 2020.

Prosecutors have charged Walter Eddings and Charles Robinson with first-degree murder. They accuse Eddings of pulling the trigger, but say Robinson planned it, intending to rob Jaramillo of drugs and money.

Prosecutors also charged three other suspects in the case, but all agreed to plead guilty. They testified against Robbins and Eddings as part of those plea deals. Their testimony was part of the five-day trial that went to the jury Monday. Jaramillo’s family witnessed the scene and relived the tragedy.

“Having to hear all the testimony, seeing all the evidence and the pictures, it’s as hard as having to bury your child,” said Sally Sanchez, Jaramillo’s mother.

After her son’s death, Sally Sanchez co-founded the group New Mexico Crusaders for Justice. They support families affected by gun violence and advocate for stricter laws.

Yet not a day goes by without Sanchez thinking about her son. She even carries a special bear, named Tony Bear.

“He’s my emotional support. I dress him in clothes my son would wear and he goes everywhere with me,” she said.

Last week, Sanchez brought Tony Bear into court to hear testimony. As the trial dragged on and deliberations took days, she felt the trial was heading toward a dead end.

“To be honest, I don’t think the jurors were fully engaged. You could see some of them falling asleep and not really paying attention. And I think that had a lot to do with all the objections that were made during the trial,” she said.

Sanchez said the suspects made the hours and hours of testimony so unbearable.

“They were laughing at us. They were staring at us, trying to intimidate us, and no one did anything to stop them. It’s not fair to the victims’ families,” she said.

Fortunately, Sanchez was accompanied by her loved ones and the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice.

“I had incredible support. I had the Crusaders sending me meals every night, so I didn’t have to worry about cooking and all that,” she said.

Sanchez is one of the first Crusaders to experience this stage of the legal system. She now knows how to better prepare other grieving parents.

“The system is built for criminals, not victims, because they can get away with chewing gum. They can get away with looking at us and laughing at us. Yet one look is enough for us to be the first ones in trouble. It’s very different, and families need to be prepared for that,” she said.

Sanchez is already preparing for the upcoming trial.

“He had a tattoo right here of the Albuquerque Dukes, and so I’m going to go get one in his honor for the next trial,” she said.

Sanchez said he expects Robinson and Eddings to face another murder trial in November.

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