A New Mexico woman, Elizabeth Ortiz-Chavez, 49, pleaded guilty this week to second-degree murder for shooting her daughter’s boyfriend, Josue Ruiz, 17, in 2022 and framing her teenage son for the crime, authorities announced.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office stated Wednesday that Ortiz-Chavez killed Ruiz on March 4, 2022, in an alley behind an Albuquerque diner. According to local news outlets KRQE and KOB4, the shooting occurred after Ortiz-Chavez’s 16-year-old son, Angelo Baldonado, confronted Ruiz, who was dating Baldonado’s sister. The teens were preparing to fight when gunfire erupted, killing Ruiz.
Initially, Baldonado was arrested and convicted of first-degree murder. However, witnesses later revealed Ortiz-Chavez was the shooter. District Attorney Sam Bregman said Ortiz-Chavez “tried to blame her son because he was a juvenile and she believed he’d face less prison time.” Baldonado eventually confessed to police that his mother orchestrated the setup, KRQE reported.
In August 2023, Baldonado changed his plea to guilty for conspiracy to commit murder and felony assault. He is now held at the Bernalillo County Youth Detention Center and will remain there until he turns 21.
Ortiz-Chavez, arrested in May 2023, faces up to 18 years in prison. She remains jailed without bond at Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Detention Center, according to inmate records reviewed by PEOPLE. A sentencing date for her has not yet been scheduled.
Legal experts say Ortiz-Chavez’s belief that her son would receive leniency as a minor reflects a misunderstanding of New Mexico’s juvenile sentencing laws. While juveniles typically face lighter penalties than adults, serious charges like murder can still result in significant prison time. “Even as a minor, conspiracy to commit murder carries heavy consequences,” Albuquerque defense attorney Mark Johnson, who is not involved in the case, told KRQE. “The system aims to balance accountability with rehabilitation for young offenders.”
The case has drawn attention to the lasting trauma for families entangled in violent crimes. Ruiz’s relatives described him as a “loving son and brother” in a tribute shared with KOB4, adding that his death “left a hole in our hearts.” Meanwhile, Baldonado’s future remains uncertain; his sentence could be reviewed if he demonstrates rehabilitation, per state guidelines.
Authorities emphasized the importance of thorough investigations in avoiding wrongful convictions. “This case shows how lies can unravel,” DA Bregman said. “But the truth eventually comes out.”
Sources: Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, KRQE, KOB4, PEOPLE
