Snowman architects



After an overnight snowfall resulted in Gallup McKinley County schools closing for the day Tuesday, Kyle Regensberg (left) and Alayna Garcia roll snow into large balls to make a snowman at the Adobe Place Mobile Home Park in Gallup.

Photo by Jeff Jones

 

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Murderer sees himself as a victim

S.J. Ludescher
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Confessed murderer Leslie Engh was a follower, not a leader.

One night last June, the night Betty Lee was killed, he had been partying at a bar where Farmington resident Robert Fry hung out. He accepted a ride with Fry. Engh said it was against his better judgment.

"I was trying to avoid driving while intoxicated ... otherwise I usually tried to avoid him," Engh said in an exclusive interview. "But to get him out of a fight and keep myself from a DWI, I went with him."

On the night that Donald Tsosie was killed several years earlier, Engh also claimed he was with Fry for lack of a ride and had no knowledge of Fry's propensities toward violence.

He did not know, he said, that ride would cost him the rest of his life behind bars.

What seemed like a good idea at the time has left him sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus 20 years in a New Mexico prison. His first chance of parole will be in 38.5 years, at age 62.

District Court Judge George Harrison accepted Engh's pleas Monday for his role in both of these deaths.

On that June night, Fry was not interested in heading straight home.

Instead, just as they had nearly two years earlier with Donald Tsosie, Fry and Engh picked up Betty Lee, 36. Her friends had stranded her in Farmington after an evening of partying.

They promised her a ride home to Shiprock. She never made it. Fry and Engh drove her to a remote area near Kirtland where Engh admitted they savagely raped and bludgeoned her to death with a sledgehammer.

After Fry's arrest for Lee's murder, police received a tip leading to the filing of charges against both Fry and Engh for the April 1998 murder of Donald Tsosie of Ganado, Ariz.

Engh was already in jail on a forgery charge.

The body of Tsosie, 40, was found at the base of a 30-foot cliff at Head Canyon, south of Farmington near N.M. 371.
Investigators believe Fry and Engh took Tsosie to the bluffs, beat him with a shovel and threw him off the cliff.

"I regret my participation in both incidents," Engh said. "I pray daily for forgiveness and that God comforts the hearts of their families. I hope they will find peace."

Fear of Fry

Engh said he felt very intimidated by Fry, claiming that Fry threatened his life.

"At one point, he put a cigarette out in the palm of my hand," he said. "He threatened me with my life and threatened me with a gun the night of the Betty Lee incident. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been involved."

"Fry is a frightening person," Engh said. " He even smells like death, even fresh out of the showers."

"What I know about Fry," Engh said. "I believe he is a serial killer. I have no doubt that Fry would continue killing if he were not locked up. He's told others that he did them for two reasons. I don't know which is more disturbing.

"He enjoyed seeing the life disappearing from the eyes. He described it as the soul leaving. And, he got a form of sexual satisfaction out of it."

Engh also believes Fry is a killer based on opportunity. "I believe Fry has a hatred for Native Americans but chooses them merely because of (easy) access to them," he said.

In a press release Gary Mitchell, Engh's attorney said, "Everybody knew he had confessed. He's a follower; he would never have done this on his own. But, in this state, following gets you in just as much trouble."

Engh met Fry a couple of years ago in a coffee shop through mutual friends, he said. "I tried to avoid him, but obviously, it didn't always work. I knew Fry owned a gun and I knew if I didn't do what he said I would die as well.

"I didn't know if he had the gun that night. Unfortunately, duress is not a defense in the state of New Mexico."

The longer he knew Fry, the more his fear intensified, Engh claimed, citing Fry's increasing brutality with the passage of time.
"Fry was never considered a friend by me. First he was someone I knew through others then someone I lived in fear of. I think he's more of a sociopath," he said. "In my opinion, if he thinks of them (his victims) it's for enjoyment.

"I became aware of his history after awhile and it disgusted me."

Eclectic slayings

Engh is due to testify against Fry in the murders of Matthew Trecker and Joseph Fleming, killed in a Farmington gift shop known as "The Eclectic," as well as in the Lee and Tsosie cases.

Although Engh is not charged in those killings, he claims he has information about Fry's alleged involvement with the deaths.
"The victims there were my friends," he said. "The way I understand it, Fry was hired to kill Joe Fleming by the owner of the Eclectic. Joe allowed his wife in while he was having an affair. Matt (Trecker) was just there at the wrong time. I knew Matt from school. We were friends."

Alex Markadius, owner of the Eclectic, has his own past and record of brushes with the law. A private investigator hired through the nonprofit agency, Justice Alliance of North America an organization that works on solving difficult murders on behalf of the survivors turned up evidence that Markadius had been using an alias while living in Farmington and had been convicted in Oklahoma of kidnapping and sexual liberties with a minor.

About a year after the murders of Trecker and Fleming, Markadius left New Mexico.

Engh also pleaded to charges of kidnapping, attempted criminal sexual penetration and tampering with evidence in the Lee killing, and kidnapping, attempted armed robbery and tampering with evidence in Tsosie's death.

Fry, 27, is scheduled for trial in Las Cruces in April in the Lee killing and a June trial for the Tsosie killing.

A hearing later this month will determine if there is probable cause for the prosecutors to pursue the death penalty if Fry is convicted.

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Proposed tax cuts would help poor New Mexicans

Walter Howerton Jr.
Managing Editor

SANTA FE — Someone once said God really must love poor people because he made so many of them. And it seems God really must have a special affection for New Mexico because we seem to have more than our share.

But more than 65,000 of those low-income people would not have to pay state income tax under a plan introduced by Republicans on Tuesday. At the same time, the tax plan would reduce tax levels for those at the highest end of the income scale, which Republicans believe would improve the business climate in the state.

Rep. Rob Burpo, R-Bernalillo, surrounded by his Republican House colleagues and officials from Gov. Gary Johnson's office, announced the $75 million, three-year personal income tax cut bill on Tuesday morning.

Burpo described the across-the-board tax cut as a way not only to help low-income New Mexicans, but also as a way "we can compete with surrounding states for new business."

"When you ease the tax burden on working families it jump-starts the economy by infusing millions of dollars into the system," Burpo said. At the same time, the cut in tax rates on upper incomes "is especially attractive to executives thinking of relocating to New Mexico."

John Garcia, secretary of economic development, said, "We need to show people we are business friendly."

Burpo said the state has trouble attracting new corporations because of the 8.2 percent tax rate on upper incomes. Some corporations already in the state have complained that they have trouble attracting and keeping executives. "If corporations don't like it (the high rate), they leave," Burpo said.

While pushing the business-friendly part of the tax cut proposal, Burpo and other Republicans placed major emphasis on the fact that it was "loaded" to help those at the lower end of the tax scale.

For the first time, the plan would create a "zero" tax bracket in the state for those with the lowest incomes. Lower income taxpayers would receive a tax cut of approximately 33 percent. Those in the highest income bracket would receive a cut of 6.2 percent. A working single mother could receive a cut of as much as $4,000.

Burpo said Republicans feel "the time is right" for the tax cut.

Citing the $400 million in oil and gas revenue in state coffers, a number that is likely to go higher before the 60-day session ends and the "new leadership" in both the House and Senate, Burpo said he is confident that New Mexicans will see a tax cut this year. Another surplus is expected next year.

Rep. Ted Hobbs, House minority leader, echoed Burpo's hopes for a cut and said he thought the $75 million cut was too modest "given the size of the surplus."

Burpo said he had met with new House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe, and new Senate Pro Tem Richard Romero, D-Bernalillo, and that the two powerful Democrats "haven't closed the door" on the tax cut proposal.

Burpo said that additional money from the surplus should go to public school capital outlay, adding, "It would have an immediate impact on crumbling schools."

He said a healthy infusion of capital outlay funding for the schools might be a way of appeasing Judge Joseph Rich in resolving the impact aid lawsuit brought by Zuni, Gallup-McKinley and Grants-Cibola schools.

"Putting in money this year and next year might be a way to resolve the issue of the judge," Burpo said. "I believe what we are doing with the (impact aid) money now is immoral."

Rich is seeking a long-term plan for the distribution of capital outlay funding to the schools.

Johnson has sought an across-the-board tax cut for several sessions, but Democrats have said they would rather see tax cuts targeted at specific groups in the state.

Rainaldi learns the ropes

Newly elected Gallup Sen. Lidio Rainaldi found his first week in Santa Fe taken up with meetings and caucuses as the Democrats battled to see whether Sen. Manny Aragon would lose his seat as Senate pro tem.

Rainaldi said the meetings "took hours" and that he is glad the Senate finally is at work. He doesn't think much will come of Aragon's effort to recapture the pro tem seat on constitutional grounds.

As most newcomers must, Rainaldi is concentrating his efforts on trying to bring some money back home.

He has asked for capital outlay funding for a variety of projects, though he was quick to remind his constituents, "That doesn't mean we will get it."

Rainaldi already is requesting:

$332,000 for roads, culverts, utility relocation and drainage ditches in Gamerco.

$576,000 for the State Police facility in McKinley County.

$70,000 for concession and restroom facilities at a local soccer complex.

$3.5 million for the Nizhoni Boulevard project.

$9 million for the wastewater treatment plant.

$70,000 for a veterans' memorial in the Gallup Miyamura Park.

Rainaldi also will seek $200,000 for an engineering study for the Gallup-Navajo water project.

Rep. Patty Lundstrom showed up with similar House water project bills on Tuesday at a committee hearing only to be told they
should be capital outlay requests, not bills.

Oops. Freshman mistake.

As she left the room, Lundstrom said she thought it must be "freshman hazing day" for experienced lawmakers.

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Park Service to hunters: Obey laws

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

GRANTS — Driving to a prime hunting area on Bureau of Land Management land but first going through El Malpais National Monument area with a loaded weapon could cost individuals a lot more than just a casual hunting trip.

Two hunters recently found this out the hard way and six hunters ignorant of the law were arrested during last year's hunting season.

Jeanne Ratlief, park ranger for the El Malpais National Monument of the National Park Service, summed up the situation best when she said: "We don't want to catch hunters out there ... that's our goal."

No person is allowed to carry a loaded weapon inside the El Malpais National Monument area. Some people do not consider a weapon loaded if cartridges are in the magazine, but none in the firearm's chamber. That kind of thinking can get someone busted, and has, on El Malpais National Monument lands.

National Park Service employees view hunting as carrying a loaded weapon, including cartridges in the chamber.

Ratlief said possessing, carrying or using a weapon and even a trap inside the confines of the monument is prohibited. "You should have your weapon unloaded and cased while driving on park service roads," Ratlief said. The same is true for County Road 42, which cuts through national monument land.

What confuses some people is the land along County Road 42, which slices into prime hunting territory for turkey, quail and deer. There are also populations of elk and some black bear in the country.

"The problem we have is that people cross onto County Road 42 off of State Highway 53 and think they can hunt and that is not true, because those people are still in the park," Ratlief said. "If they have a loaded weapon in the car or truck they can be charged with poaching, or, at the very least, carrying a loaded firearm on national park lands."

At the point County Road 42 intersects with State Highway 53 is private land for about three miles down the road. Then the land turns into El Malpais National Monument land on which hunting is strictly prohibited. County Road 42 later enters BLM land, on which hunting is permitted. At that point hunters may legally hunt.

There should be no confusion where Bureau of Land Management property is located along County Road 42. "There are boundary signs about every 300 to 500 feet," Ratlief said. "We put that many signs up purposely because we knew we had a hunting problem in the area."

It isn't that people are ignorant about the situation. "Last year when we arrested the six we had lots of people coming into the office wanting boundary maps," Ratlief said.

Persons caught poaching on National Park Service property face severe fines and penalties. The fines range from $100 up to $5,000 and/or up to one year in jail and even possible forfeiture of the weapons and vehicles used. After that the state can take over and revoke hunting privileges for up to three years.

In addition to weapons, no hunting camps are allowed in the monument area; however, "Leave No Trace" camps are allowed on the BLM El Malpais National Conservation area. A "Leave No Trace" camp must follow certain guidelines:

Avoid fragile areas.

Pack out garbage.

Do not camp within 200 feet of any water source.

Park within 50 feet of a road.

Do not camp in historic or archeological sites.

Naturalize the area before leaving.

Make absolutely sure campfires are completely out and the fire ring is dispersed.

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Discipline helps Newcomb defeat Rehoboth

Carrie Loretto
Sports Editor

REHOBOTH — Newcomb High School principal Dean Cunningham is taking his disciplinary philosophy and transferring it to the basketball court.

The result is a newfound success which includes last night's 67-46 victory over Rehoboth in boys prep basketball action which comes on the heels of a strong showing Zuni last week.

"I've been principal for five years so they know me and they know what I expect, the discipline on the team is the same as it is in school,"Cunningham said."They've been playing helter skelter and my way is, slow down and play good defense and run an offense. We've got great shooters and leapers, but they've played out of control, they've always tried to just use their talents."
Cunningham replaces Larry Thornton who resigned last week for personal reasons. Newcomb is now 3-12 overall.

Rehoboth lost despite a record-setting performance by Jeff Van Haitsma who sank nine three-pointers, seeming to take a step back on each attempt and even hitting some from NBA-range. A pair of threes by Van Haitsma helped the Lynx pull back within ten points at the beginning of the third quarter, but that couldn't counter a balanced Skyhawk offense that kept the Newcomb lead in double digits.

"It was not enough, he was the only one who was on tonight,"Rehoboth coach Mark Charles said."Their defense really hurt us, they played very intense, very high pressure defense. They pressured the outside and we couldn't work it in either. Newcomb came out ready to play and we came out cold."

Newcomb held Rehoboth to just three field goals in the first half while running up a 27-11 lead behind the combination of Dean Johnson and Olivier King. King hit a pair of three pointers and a total of ten points, while Johnson added 8.

Van Haitsma opened the third quarter with back-to-back three-pointers and Toby Crooks added a jumper from the baseline as a 16-point Newcomb lead was cut in half. But then the Skyhawks got threes from Johanson Brown and McKendren Yazzie and 1-of-2 free throws from Kevin Lewis to go back up 34-21.

Van Haitsma traded threes with McKendren Yazzie, but Newcomb's outside shooting then opened up the inside for Lewis who closed out the quarter with six points as the Skyhawks went back up 43-27.

Van Haitsma made four more three-pointers in the fourth quarter, but Newcomb countered with three - two from Yazzie and another from King, and outscored Rehoboth 24 to 19 to win going away.

Rehoboth finished with 11 threes while Newcomb sank 9.

Van Haitsma led all scorers with 27 points, but he was the only Lynx in double figures. Kevin Lewis netted 16 points to lead four Skyhawks in double-digit scoring. King and Yazzie finished with 15 points apiece and Johnson tallied 10.

Tuba City teams beat Ganado

Abelita Rose Freeland
Staff Sports Writer

GANADO, Ariz. — The Tuba City Warriors played close games against the Ganado Hornets and came out victorious in Tuesday night 3A Enchantment conference games.

The Tuba City boys were able to capture a victory in the second-half, beating Ganado 74-63 while the Lady Warriors kept their lead to win against the Lady Hornets 41-38, despite a fourth quarter come back.

Boys Tuba City 74, Ganado 63

The Ganado Hornets were able to take control of the first-half of their game against Tuba City, but the Warriors second-half come back gave them the 74-63 victory.

"We were able to step it up and play harder," said Warrior coach Charles Gover. "We told them it wasn't going to be like it was went they played us at home. Ganado is a good team and they showed us that they could play."

"I am very proud of my kids tonight. We finally played four quarters hard. We just got tired and missed a bunch of easy shots but the effort was there and I am very proud of my kids. That is the hardest they've played all year long," said Hornets boys coach Dave Freeman.

Ganado jumped to a 8-0 lead in the first quarter.

Hornet Cody Mueller started the run on a drive to the basket, Jay Taliman sank a jump shot, Mueller made another basket and finished the three-point play at the line.

Warrior Josh Allan ended the run with a pair of free throws.

Warrior Allen added another basket to the Warrior score on a drive to the basket, but Hornet Mueller went 2-for-2 at the line and Taliman sank a jump shot.

Trailing 14-4, the Warriors went on a nine point run late in the first quarter.

Warrior Tristan Kewanyama sank two free throws and Allen tallied two lay-ups and a three-pointer, leaving the Warriors down by one. Hornet Ricardo Montano put in a three-point basket, lto put the Hornets up 17-13.

The Hornets continued to widen their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Warriors 23 to 19.

Warrior Allan opened the quarter on an assist to Kewanyama for a basket, but then the Hornets went on an eight point run.
Hornet Taliman put the ball back in the basket on a rebound, Kasey Bluehouse hit a trey and Mueller made three free throws, making the score 25-15.

Tuba City then went on a six point run. LaVar Martin scored on a drive to the basket and a pair of free throws and Allan on a
lay-up. Hornet Lavon Salabye stopped the run going 1-for-2 at the line, leaving Ganado still in the lead 26-21.

Both teams exchanged points to end the quarter, the Hornets leading 40-32.

Behind at the beginning of the third quarter, the Warriors were quick to play catch up, going on a six point run.

Warrior Martin made a drive to the basket, Allan went 2-for-2 at the line and Martin sank a jump shot, to get the Warriors to within a basket.

Hornet Tyrone Lynch ended the run on a pair of free throws, but the Warriors were able to take the lead on a six point run behind Allan.

Allan first had a drive to the basket, he then assisted Justice for a basket and thenhe had a steal for a basket, giving the Warriors their first lead of the game at 44-42.

Ganado quickly tied the game at 44 with Lynch assisting Mueller on a play. Warrior Allan had a drive to put the Warriors up, and Hornet Manuel Rico retaliated with a three pointer, putting Ganado back in the lead 47-46.

Warrior Lloyd Billy, Jr. put his team right back in the lead with back-to-back treys and Hornet Lynch made a drive but left the Hornets down 52-49.

Tuba City finished the quarter with on offensive rebound from Justice, a three pointer from Martin and Allan with two baskets.
Hornet Bluehouse sank a three-pointer with the Warriors on top 61-52.

The Warriors took the fourth quarter, beating the Hornets 13 to 11, enough for Tuba City to take the win.

"(Tuba City) is good. They're well coach and they got some real good players that can shoot the three or beat you off the dribble," Freeman said. "They did what I thought they were going to do. There was a spurt there in the three quarter and we missed a few easy shots, they were hitting theirs, and the same thing happened in the fourth quarter too."

"We've been needing a game like this, win or lose. We needed one just to play hard and come together and I think we did tonight and it will help us out, Tuba City played good and we did to, but we just didn't come out on top," Freeman concluded.
Warrior Allan led his team with 31 points, two assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Martin pumped with 18 points and two
steals.

Leading the Hornets in the effort was Mueller with 19 points, seven rebounds and a blocked-shot. Taliman tallied 12 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and three steals.

Tuba City (6-1 in conference) will play Greyhills on Thursday and Ganado (1-5) will play Window Rock at home tonight.

Girls Tuba City 41, Ganado 38

The Lady Warriors took control of the game against the Lady Hornets, but a few spurts throughout the game kept the Lady Hornets close, but Tuba City held on and beat Ganado 41-38.

Tuba City held a 33-24 lead over Ganado to start the fourth quarter when Tammy Secody assistedAmy North for a basket.
Ganado answered right back with an eight point run.

Hornet Jolene Benally had a pair of free throws, Candice Kirk went one for two at the free throw line and Melissa Jones scored with an offensive rebound and a trey, bring the score to 35-32.

Warrior Jayme Lomakema added a pair of free throws and Hornet Jones also added two free throws and Kendralyn James had a steal for a basket, allowing the Hornets to come within one point before Warrior sank a jump shot, giving Tuba City a 39-36 lead.

With less than two minutes to play, Hornet James made a drive to the basket, but Warrior Lomakema followed by going 2-for-2 at the line, putting the score at 41-38.

A last minute attempted from the Hornets to tie the game with a three pointer failed leaving the score 41-38 and the Warriors with the win.

"I think we did good. We hustled and I am just glad we pulled out the victory," said Lady Warrior coach Tamyra Rogers.

"I think we did really good. Considering (Tuba City) beat us by 20 points the first game, we were prepared to play them today," said Lady Hornet coach Gwyn Grant. "We had little mental mistakes at the end. They were given the chance to win the game at the end (but) I think this game has helped them as far as pressure."

In the first quarters, Ganado took a 5-0 lead with a trey from James and Jones with a jump shot.

Tuba City end the first quarter on a 12 point run.

Warrior North made a basket, Secody had a steal taking the ball to the basket and went one for two at the line, Secody then assisted North for a basket, Secody hasd a drive to the basket and Leighia Daw sank a trey.

The Hornets held the Warriors in the first quarter scoring 14 to their 9.

Both teams made baskets one after the other, but the Hornets slowly caught up.

Behind 21-15, Ganado finished the quarter with an offensive rebound from Benally and a pair of free throws from Jones.
Tuba City held Ganado in the third quarter, scoring 12 to the Hornet's 5.

"I am glad we pulled it together. Some freshman came off the bench and did a nice job playing their possession and I am proud of them," Rogers concluded.

"I expected (Tuba City) to come out hard and not to take us lightly. I wanted them to pressure the girls and that is what they did," Grant said.

Warrior North led Tuba City with 17 points, six rebounds and a steal and block.

Double-digit scorers for the Hornet effort were Jones with 14 points, grabbing six steals and two steals and James with 12 points, four rebounds, two steals and a blocked-shot.

The Lady Warriors (8-0 in conference) will play Greyhills on Thursday and Winslow on Saturday. Ganado (3-3 in conference) will host Window Rock tonight.

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McKinley inmate gassed after threats

Tanya Brazil
Staff Writer

GALLUP — An inmate in the McKinley County Adult Detention is facing felony charges after police said he removed a metal bar from the bottom of a cell door and began swinging it around in protest to being moved to a different cell.

Jail officials said the metal plate underneath the door had become rusted as the result of years of flooding of the cells by inmates and that all the doors will have to be repaired.

A detention officer, Frank Rangel, told police that the incident began Sunday afternoon when he tried to get the inmate Jody Cavannas, 30, of Gallup to calm down after he expressed resistance to being moved to another cell...

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Cubero extends hours
Program aids kids before, after school

Tara Drolma
Staff Writer

GRANTS — A grant from the State Board of Education has provided the money necessary to start an after- and before-school program at Cubero Elementary School.

The program has just begun at Cubero and plans are under way to start a similar program at the Mount Taylor Elementary School. San Rafael and Mesa View elementary schools already have programs for children before and after school hours.

The funding for the program comes from a Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) grant. Although the money is targeted for children from low-income families, program coordinator Roxanne Greco-Ashley said all children ages 5 to 8 could participate in the program...

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Deaths

Katherine C. Tilden

KINLICHEE, Ariz. — Services for Katherine Tilden will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 25 at Saint Michaels Mission, Saint Michaels, Ariz. Father Blane Grein will officiate. Burial will follow in Kinlichee. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the St. Michaels Mission.

Tilden died Jan. 22 in Tucson, Ariz. She was born Feb. 15, 1949 in Fort Defiance into the Bitter Water People Clanfor the Towering House People Clan.

Tilden graduated from Anadarko, Okla. She then entered the U.S. Marine Corps. She was employed with the Bureau of Indian
Affairs and the Navajo Nation.

Survivors include her son, Tye C. Tilden of Kinlichee; daughters, Vera Watson and Tyra C. Tilden both Kinlichee; brothers, Franklin P. Tsosie Jr. and Anthony Brown of Kinlichee; sister, Marian J. Johnson of Farmington and two grandchildren.

Tilden was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin C. Tilden; son, Tee Cody and mother, Ida Summet.

Pallbearers will be Tye C. Tilden, Ivan G. Tsosie, Ernest Curley, Michael J. Tsosie, Gerald Tsosie, and Silvestre Villegas.

The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Kinlichee Chapter House.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Emma Louise Holtsoi

PINEDALE — Services for Emma Holtsoi, 61, will be announced at a later date.

Holtsoi died Jan. 23 in Gallup. She was born May 12, 1939.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.