Related Federal Cases
- Gilbert John, Jr., Kidnapping and Murder, New Mexico 2019 · Puerto Rico
- Nochise Martinez, Voluntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
- Randy Payton, Voluntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2016 · Puerto Rico
- Rob Begay, Involuntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
- Tracey Beaver, Involuntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2016 · Puerto Rico
Shiprock Man Faces Maximum Penalty for Fatal Altercation
In a grim reminder of the consequences of violence, Morrie Lee Begaye, a 37-year-old man from Shiprock, New Mexico, has been sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for his role in a fatal altercation.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on June 26, 2022, at a residence in Shiprock, New Mexico. Begaye, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, started a fight with another man, which escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, Begaye punched and kicked the victim in the head and body, resulting in severe injuries.
The victim, who was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, suffered a large bleed in the space surrounding the left side of his brain. The injury was so severe that the neurosurgical team deemed it too severe for surgical intervention, and the victim was declared brain dead on June 28, 2022. The next day, his organs were donated to others in need.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced the sentencing today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caitlin L. Dillon and Brittany DuChaussee are prosecuting the case.
Begaye will serve his prison sentence without the possibility of parole, as there is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release, he will be subject to three years of supervised release.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
