One-Time Fugitive Pleads No Contest In 1984 Shooting

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A man who lived for decades as a fugitive before his arrest last year on a murder charge has pleaded no contest in the 1984 shooting death of his brother-in-law. Valentin Vasquez, a Mexican national, entered the plea Wednesday in New Mexico court. He is scheduled to be sentenced on murder and aggravated battery charges on Oct. 6. A district attorney's spokesman says Vasquez will be deported after he completes his prison term. Vasquez was arrested in December in Moline, Illinois, after he was involved in a minor traffic accident and identified himself to officers using a name similar to his own. Officers looked him up and found he was the suspect in the shooting death in Albuquerque of Juan Gutierrez.