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Gallup teen tells tale of kidnapping
2 local men, woman charged

Christopher Schurtz
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Joey Cordova still bears the scars on his wrists and his body from the kidnapping the teen-ager said he went through last Saturday night.

He bears the emotional scars as well, still shaken up a week later.

Taken in the early hours of Sunday morning by two men and a woman he said he had recently met, the 19-year old's hands were tightly bound with metal handcuffs, his feet bound with duct tape.

He said he was taken into the McGaffey Mountains, threatened with his life, kicked, punched and almost run over by the alleged kidnappers' car. They eventually left him lying in the dirt and drove off.

He later found a park ranger who called police.

The trio of alleged kidnappers was found hours later by police. Their ran out of gas on State Road 118.

The apparent ring-leader, Adrian Weigl, 19, was arrested along with Gloria Garcia, 37, and Samuel Buckinghorse, 20.

Weigl was charged with first degree felony kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and tampering with evidence. He is being held in the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on $100,000 bond.

Garcia, also was charged with felony kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Her bond was set at $75,000. She was released on bond on Wednesday. She is a food service employee with the Gallup McKinley School District.

Buckinghorse was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and misdemeanor battery. His initial bail of $100,000 was reduced to $10,000, but he remains in jail

Cordova claimed he had known the three for only a couple of days when Garcia, who Cordova knew through his family, invited him to a party at Weigl's grandfather's house.

After hanging out at Weigl's grandfather's Gallup furniture store most of the night, Cordova said he was about to leave at around 5:30 a.m. when Weigl and the others locked him inside the store.

Cordova said Weigl and the others then "went psycho", chasing him around the store. They eventually caught him, tightly handcuffing his hands and duct-taping his legs.

They then put Cordova in the trunk of Weigl's grandfather's white limousine and drove up to the mountains, he said.

"I was thinking they're probably gonna kill me or leave me up there," Cordova said. "I kept asking why are you doing this to me?"

Apparently, the reason why they were after him might stem from rumors Cordova said he heard about Weigl and then repeated.

The kidnapping, Cordova said, was an effort to keep him quiet and intimidate him. He said Weigl had previously threatened him to stay quiet.

Weigl reportedly was arrested several times as a minor, but because those records are closed, the charges against him could not be confirmed.

After they got up to McGaffey Mountain, Cordova said the three alleged kidnappers took him out of the trunk and threw him on the ground. Cordova said they kicked and punched him in the chest area and threatened to leave him there, still handcuffed.

He persuaded them to uncuff him but they left the duct tape wrapped tightly around his ankles. He said Weigl at one point choked him and threatened to kill him.

The group then got in the car, leaving Cordova there, but not before allegedly trying to back over him with the limousine. Cordova said he moved out of the way but was still hit by the car on his right shoulder.

"I was, like, shaking and in shock," Cordova said. "I'm still freaking out, asking myself why it happened."

After he got free, he found a park ranger a half an hour later, who called police. When a park ranger came upon the group a couple of hours later on State Road 118, the group told the ranger that they had been camping in the mountains the previous
night and that their car had run out of gas.

They did not mention Cordova being with them earlier.

State Police arrived later with Cordova, who identified Weigl and the other two as having kidnapped him.

Police searched the car but did not initially find any handcuffs or duct tape in the vehicle.

Police reports indicate that a pair of black handcuffs and a large knife were found later, but the report did not indicate where the items were found.

If convicted Weigl could face up to 28 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.

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Accused cop killer may plea-bargain
DA Runnels will not seek death

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

GRANTS — Officials are working on a plea-bargain agreement that would keep accused cop killer Michael Archuleta off death row hours before his murder trial is to begin Monday.

District Attorney Mike Runnels had been seeking the death sentence against the 22-year-old Archuleta, the state's only suspect in the March 4, 1999, murder of 38-year-old Sierra County Sheriff's Deputy Kelly Clark, but new evidence was brought into the case that changed Runnels' mind.

"Let's say it might happen," Runnels said about a plea bargain agreement in a telephone interview Friday. "It won't be a done deal until the judge approves it, but we are in the process of exploring that possibility."

Clark, a single mother of a teen-age daughter, was engaged to a state police officer from the Truth or Consequences area when she was gunned down.

She was transporting Archuleta to Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants to serve about three months remaining in a probation violation case when Archuleta allegedly grappled for Clark's service pistol holstered on her right hip, shot her once in the leg and once behind her right ear, execution-style.

After the shooting, Clark's transport car careened across I-40 into the eastbound lane and slammed into a semi-tractor trailer rig truck on its way to Albuquerque.

Archuleta car-jacked a Grants minister at gunpoint and drove to the western outskirts of Albuquerque, where he was caught.
A Cibola County emergency room doctor pronounced Clark dead a short while later at Cibola General Hospital while state cops and sheriff's deputies from across the state shut down Interstate 40 for several hours to investigate the crime scene.

Runnels would not give details of the plea arrangement or when plea negotiations began.

District court papers give little hint that a plea bargain is even in the mix. An Aug. 3 court order demands that Archuleta be brought from the State Penitentiary North Facility in Santa Fe on Aug. 13 to Western New Mexico Correctional Facility to stay during the trial.

On Aug. 7, the district court clerk's office subpoened 53 witnesses, most of whom were law enforcement investigators, to be at the courthouse 9 a.m. Monday for the trial.

The clue that something was not quite right with the case came when papers were filed in district court Thursday demanding that state police bring Archuleta from Santa Fe to Grants at 1:30 p.m. Monday, not for a trial, but for a hearing.

Negotiations for the plea agreement started before Thursday. Runnels said he stuck by his decision to seek the death penalty until recently.

Runnels is not saying what changed his mind. "Without getting into technicalities or other details now, there were a few things that happened that made the alternative approach a better course of action to consider," Runnels said.

He said all cases have game plans, but like any game, things can change as the game progresses and the game plan may also change.

"As this case progressed, we revealed a point where, in the interest of justice, we should at least consider a plea bargain," Runnels added.

At one of the hearings Archuleta's court-appointed attorney, Gary Mitchell, several times asked about blood samples found on a baton belonging to Clark. He also implied that Archuleta was beaten with it.

Runnels did not deny Clark hit Archuleta inside the transport car. "Sure she thumped him on the head," Runnels said. "She was fighting for her life."

If a plea agreement is reached, and the judge approves it, details of what changed the district attorney's mind to drop the death penalty case will be revealed, Runnels said.

Also, Runnels said Clark's family will be involved in the plea arrangement. "Nothing will be done without the approval of the family," Runnels said.

If a plea arrangement is not reached between all parties, Runnels said the trial will go on.

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Clerical error costs 24 Cibola teaching assistants their jobs

Roni Polk
Staff Writer

GRANTS — Twenty-four teaching assistants have lost their jobs in the Grants/Cibola County Schools because of a clerical error.

The school system announced a reduction in force on Friday in the educational assistant job classification for the 2000-2001 school year.

This means 24 former educational assistants have lost their jobs and may not be rehired.

"Those employees affected will be placed on a preferred recall list that will be in effect August 2000 through August 2001," was the only hopeful sentence in the layoff announcement.

The unfortunate employees were apparently laid off because "funding was lost for the Title IX Federal Program (Indian Education) due to a clerical error when the paperwork was filed in June," according to statement prepared by school media specialist Carol Owensby.

This resulted in a budget shortfall of $140,000 for the program.

The former educational assistants have the option of becoming substitute teachers if they meet all of the requirements.

Adela Holder, the new assistant superintendent for federal programs and support services, is working closely with the offices of Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Sen. Pete Domenici to try to resolve the situation in the district's favor, according to Owensby.

"We will continue to work to get the funding reinstated. When that happens, all employees will be restored to their former positions," Holder said.

Superintendent Linda Coy and John Bryant, assistant superintendent for attendance, were meeting with 25 employees at the district office on Friday afternoon.

They were in the process of considering possible reassignments throughout the school district. Classes are set to begin next Wednesday.

It is assumed funding for other federal programs remains intact for the school year.

Some educational assistants already had been reassigned over the past two school years with cuts in the available federal funding for the former Chapter I reading program.

Other federally funded programs in the district which have employed educational assistants include bilingual education and special education.

Neither Coy nor Owensby was available for comment Friday afternoon.

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Woman found murdered on reservation

Christopher Schurtz
Staff Writer

WINDOW ROCK — A woman was found dead in her home near the Red Mesa, Ariz., trading post earlier this week, the victim of an apparent gunshot wound.

Shiprock police said Mary Ann Vigil, 44, was found dead in her bedroom by 20-year-old Raphelia Tso around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Tso initially tried to wake Vigil, but Vigil was not breathing.

Tso called police and an ambulance crew, who found no pulse or respiration. They also found a small puncture wound and blood on her left shoulder.

Vigil was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington where the Office of the Medical Investigator confirmed that the puncture wound was a gunshot.

The caliber of the bullet was not determined and the time and place that Vigil was shot is either unknown by police or was not released.

Vigil's home is located 1.5 miles southeast of the trading post.

The FBI and Shiprock Criminal Investigation are investigating the death as a homicide.

There have been no suspects named yet.

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Vanderwagen man acquitted in assault

Staff Report

ALBUQUERQUE — Oliver Boyd, 22, of Vanderwagen, has been found not guilty of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with intent to commit serious bodily injury against Norman Begay.

The trial was before U.S. District Court Judge Bruce Black. After four days of trial, the jury deliberated three hours before acquitting Boyd on Friday.

Boyd had been accused of stabbing Norman Begay, intending or causing serious bodily injury while both were partying at the home of Boyd's mother near Vanderwagen.

The two had been drinking several days. On June 2, 1999, both were alone in Carol Lincoln's trailer. Neither remembered what happened. About 6 p.m., Boyd ended up with a bloody nose, black eyes and a bruise on his nose. Begay was stabbed in his lower abdomen...

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Voter registration deadline

Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Voter registration closes Monday for the Arizona primary election of Sept. 12. The deadline for write-in candidates is Aug. 29, according to election officials in Apache, Coconino and Navajo counties.

Here are the county office candidates:

Apache County

First district board of supervisors (Democratic Party) Harry Claw, incumbent Joe Shirley Jr. and Anderson Tullie, all of Chinle and (Republican) Robert Yazzie of Blue Gap.

Second district board of supervisors (D) Arthur J. Hubbard Jr. of Window Rock, Ambrose Shepherd of Ganado, Roger Shirley of Window Rock and incumbent Tom M. White Jr. of Fort Defiance.

Assessor (D) Melody Capps of St. Johns, Oscar L. House Sr. of Window Rock, Cora Madrid of St. Johns and (R) Martin J. "Bart" Bartholomew of St. Johns...

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Native American youth are big part of Ceremonial

Zarana Sanghani
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Among the faces of the vendors, artists and performers were those of young Native Americans at the Intertribal Ceremonial.

Seeing young people working at booths and making art was reassuring to some who worry Native American cultures may die out slowly. However, some, including teen-agers, still weren't sure of how long the traditions would continue.

Brent Brokeshoulder, a 15-year-old kachina maker, will be at his booth every day, selling, painting and talking about his dolls. Brokeshoulder is Hopi, Navajo and Shawnee and makes Hopi kachinas.

Brokeshoulder said he began his craft when he was 5 and has learned from his father whom Brokeshoulder refers to as his mentor and his father learned from his father...

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Fires may close some tourist businesses

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, Colo. (AP) — Mesa Verde National Park hopes to reopen next week, but some local
businesses will not survive the loss of three critical weeks of tourism to wildfires this summer, a banker warns.

The latest blaze was reported 90 percent contained Friday after burning 5,240 acres, including 1,352 acres in the park, with full containment expected by day's end. Fires have charred nearly 29,000 acres at Mesa Verde so far this summer, closing it for two weeks in July and a week so far this month.

The fire, which at its height threatened ancient cliff dwellings and other archaeological sites, did not damage any of those sites. Some recreational facilities at Wetherill Mesa were destroyed, and some historic structures burned on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation.

The loss of tourism due to the fires may kill some area businesses...

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Aztec man gets probation and fine for sexual contact

Staff Report

ALBUQUERQUE — Franklin Edward Tso, 57, of Aztec, has been sentenced to five years' probation and a $2,500 fine for the misdemeanor charge of sexual contact without permission.

Tso, a physican's assistant with the Indian Health Service, was found guilty by Magistrate Judge Deaton after a one-day bench trial. The charges alleged the sexual contact of a victim by Tso on Jan. 9, 1998, at the Dzilth-Na-Ole-Dith Hle Clinic near Farmington.

According to court documents and witness testimony at trial, Tso inappropriately touched the witness' breasts and buttocks while employed at the clinic. Tso testified that there was medical reason to put his hands on the genitalia of the witness. Two other victims also testified at trial that Tso touched them in private areas without their permission...

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Hopi Chairman takes on issue of tribal sovereignty

Staff Report

KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. — The continuing assault on tribal sovereignty is a problem that has remained unresolved from the last century, the Hopi chairman said.

In an address to the Intertribal Council of Arizona, Hopi Chairman Wayne Taylor Jr. said, "Tribal sovereignty has long tempted outside intervention and the result is generally the same: grinding destruction of tribal self-governance, jurisdiction, authority, and control over our lands, resources, and people. The long-term effects of such assaults have translated into territorial disputes between tribes and states and between tribes and the federal government."

Taylor emphasized that opponents of tribal sovereignty often veil their campaigns with deceiving sloagans of "leveling the playing field," or encouraging a "united America" with the aim of abolishing tribal governments. The Washington state Republic Party resolution calling for the termination of tribal governments is seen by tribal leaders as opening the door to further, more intense political transgressions by opponents of tribal sovereignty in the coming years...

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Deaths

Raquel "Rachel" Rivera

GAMERCO — Funeral services for Raquel Rivera, 18, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at the Joshua Generation for Jesus. Pastor Julian Johnson and Pastor Jessie Rincon will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Joshua Generation for Jesus.

Raquel died Aug. 8 in Wilcox, Ariz. She was born Feb. 25, 1982, in Gallup.

Raquel was a class of 2000 graduate of Gallup High School. She was a member of the Monte de Sion Spanish Assembly of God Church in Gallup.

Survivors include father, the Rev. Ruben Rivera Sr. of Gamerco; brother, Ruben Rivera Jr. of Gamerco; sister, Lucy Cruz of Gamerco; and grandparents, Ernestina Guerrero and Ramon Guerrero, both of Anthony.

Raquel was preceded in death by mother, Sofia Rivera.

Pallbearers will be Roberto Nevarez Jr., Roel Rodriguez, Francisco Sapiens, Rodolfo Sapiens Jr., Omar A. Sifuentes and Victor Sifuentes.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Sofia Rivera

GAMERCO — Funeral services for Sofia Rivera, 45, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at the Joshua Generation for Jesus. Pastor Julian Johnson and Pastor Jessie Rincon will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Joshua Generation for Jesus.

She died Aug. 8 in Wilcox, Ariz.

Rivera was a member of the Monte de Sion Spanish Assembly of God Church in Gallup.

Survivors include husband, the Rev. Ruben Rivera Sr. of Gamerco; son, Ruben Rivera Jr. of Gamerco; daughter, Lucy Cruz of Gamerco; parents, Ramon Guerrero and Ernestina Guerrero, both of Anthony; brothers, Gerardo Guerrero of Gallup, and Ramon Guerrero of Gamerco; and sisters, Ernestina Guardado of El Paso, Texas, Monica Hernandez and Lydia Rodriguez, both of Juaraz, Mexico, Teresa Nevarez of San Elisario, Texas, Irma Noriega of Gamerco, Dolores Rendon, Elsa Sapiens, and Margarita Sifuentes, all of Gallup, and Patricia Rincon of Santa Fe.

Rivera was preceded in death by daughter, Raquel "Rachel" Rivera.

Pallbearers will be Adrian Guerrero, Eddy Guerrero, Edgar Guerrero, Gerardo Guerrero Jr., Hector Guerrero, and Ramon Guerrero Jr.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ella R. Chee

SUNDANCE — Funeral services for Ella R. Chee, 61, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Pastor John Kostelyk will officiate. Burial will follow at Rehoboth Mission Cemetery.

Chee died Aug. 9 in Gallup. She was born May 4, 1939, in Fort Wingate for the Towering House People Clan into the Black Streak People Clan.

Survivors include brothers, Jimmie Chee of Klagatoh, and Johnnie Chee and Phillip Chee, both of Sundance; and sister, Alice Hood of Sundance.

Chee was preceded in death by parents, Pat Chee and Mae Chee.

Pallbearers will be Brian Chee, Emerson Chee, Jimmie Chee, Phillip Chee, Kendall Long, and Irwin Touchine.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jose Emilio Acevedo Jr.

GALLUP — Funeral services for Jose Emilio Acevedo Jr., 70, will be announced at a later date.

Acevedo died Aug. 10 in Gallup. He was born Aug. 8, 1930, in Pasadena, Calif.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.