ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Tuesday marked the start of the trial against former Albuquerque Police Department officer Kenneth Skeens, who is accused of unlawfully arresting Matthew McManus while he was attempting to use cash to purchase a bicycle at an Albuquerque Target self-checkout in August 2022.
This marks the second trial against Skeens after the previous one in April 2024 ended with a hung jury mistrial .
New Mexico joins lawsuit over cuts to public health grants
During opening statements on Tuesday, the state said it would show proof that Skeens had no lawful authority to detain McManus. “It’s important to get a clear and unequivocal answer from Target before you decide to arrest someone. The state is going to show that on August 19, 2022, which was a Friday evening, Kenneth Skeens wrongfully arrested Matthew McManus,” said Prosecutor Johnna Walker.
Lapel and surveillance footage played in court showed Skeens asking McManus to collect his money and leave the store, threatening to issue a criminal trespass, and, eventually, taking McManus out of the store and detaining him. In the video, McManus appeared to be confused, trying to call 911 and not understanding that the three men arresting him were police officers…