LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A man has been indicted in the killing of a retired Las Cruces real estate agent.
Prosecutors say a Dona Ana County grand jury took less than half an hour Thursday to charge Mario Mendez.
The 25-year-old Mendez is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, aggravated residential burglary with a deadly weapon, arson, larceny, disposing of stolen property and tampering with evidence.
Authorities say 62-year-old Jack Hadley was killed on Sept. 23 during a home burglary.
The Las Cruces Sun-News (http://bit.ly/qrjml6) says Hadley was shot at least nine times with a 9 mm pistol and struck four times in the chest.
Mendez was arrested less than two weeks later and authorities say they found evidence at his home linking him to the killing.
Mendez remains jailed without bond.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
