Description
Robert Tórrez delves into the history of capital punishment in New Mexico from the Spanish era to the state’s last execution in 2001. The legal background, attitudes towards capital punishment, and some of the remarkable cases from each epoch are discussed. Additionally, Tórrez touches on the role of lynching during New Mexico’s “wild west” period.
Robert Tórrez is a native New Mexican who served as the state historian from 1987-2000. He has researched New Mexico archives for decades. He authored several books and contributed chapters to nearly two dozen anthologies and textbooks.