NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Kill someone, abuse a child, or steal a gun and walk free without a charge. That is happening in Gallup, where KRQE Investigates uncovered years of violent felony arrests that the McKinley County District Attorney never took to court. Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret’s dive into DA Bernadine Martin’s Office continues.

What happens to a community when its worst criminals get a free pass?

“It's a lot of stress and a lot of, um, denial,” Patricia Smith said of her son’s sudden death nearly three years ago. “It really hurts me.”

Brandon Lee died of multiple gunshot wounds on December 6, 2022. Gallup police found Lee’s body in a ditch behind a shopping center. It’s an area his family says Lee frequented because he did not have a permanent home. “He used to always watch

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