Overview
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico filed the notice on Oct. 22 and announced it on Oct. 24, citing two capital-eligible counts in a 13-count indictment.
- Counts 6 and 7 carry a maximum penalty of death for carjacking resulting in death and causing death through use and possession of a firearm.
- Attorney General Bondi authorized the U.S. Attorney to pursue capital punishment, according to the Justice Department’s announcement.
- The indictment spans alleged robberies, carjackings and firearms offenses from July 30 to Aug. 10, 2024, investigated by ATF with assistance from Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces police.
- Recently released police videos show the Aug. 6 encounter outside Best Buy and the response; records also note Babitz’s prior 20-year prison term, removal of an ankle monitor days before the killing, a four-day manhunt ending in Las Cruces, and a Nov. 19 federal court date.