ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The trial of a 20-year-old man accused of fatally beating two homeless men in Albuquerque has resumed after a weekend break.
Alex Rios is facing 27 charges including two counts of first-degree murder in the July 2014 attack.
Two juveniles also were charged in the case. The youngest is taking a plea deal that offers him the possibility of release when he turns 21 in exchange for his testimony.
On Monday, defense lawyer Daniel Salazar continued to pick apart inconsistencies in statements the then 16-year-old initially gave to police about the killings of 44-year-old Allison Gorman and 46-year-old Kee Thompson.
Authorities say the homeless men were sleeping in a vacant lot when they were attacked with a wooden table leg, then with cinder blocks, a metal pole, branch and stones.