[1] Jury deliberations begin in fraud case against former NM lawmaker – The jury is now deliberating in the corruption trial against former state lawmaker Sheryl Williams Stapleton, accused of stealing millions of dollars from taxpayers. Prosecutors urged the jury to “follow the money” to see who ultimately benefited. The defense argued the money isn’t enough evidence to prove an agreement was made between Sheryl Williams Stapleton and her accused co-conspirator Joseph Johnson. Prosecutors told the jury that evidence through email exchanges, irregularities in invoices, and blank checks sent to Stapleton, show Stapleton and Johnson had a secret. Stapleton faces 37 federal charges, including fraud, bribery, and money laundering.
[2] Albuquerque police identify man killed in police shooting – Police say 39-year-old Sean Omara fired dozens of shots while inside an apartment complex on Cibola Loop on Albuquerque’s westside. After an hours-long standoff, police said Omara walked out onto a patio with a rifle in his hand. Two SWAT officers fired shots at Omara, hitting and killing him. Investigators later found over 100 fired casings inside the apartment.
[3] Widespread storms and muggy weather around New Mexico – Most of New Mexico will have at least a chance for rain and storms Friday, but not everyone will see rain. A few storms could again produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding. High temperatures will stay pretty close to normal for this time of year. Showers and storms will linger across parts of the state through early Saturday morning before drier air starts moving in Saturday afternoon…