Cop killer to remain imprisoned
Michael Astorga to serve minimum 60 years
The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction Monday and a cop killer will remain in prison as a result.
Michael Astorga was convicted in the 2006 murder of Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Deputy James McGrane. Astorga shot McGrane during a traffic stop in the East Mountains. He was wanted for another murder at the time.
Astorga’s lawyers argued there were several errors made during his trial, including jurors hearing prejudicial evidence. They wanted Astorga’s murder conviction overturned.
Astorga was sentenced to life behind bars in 2012.
At the time of Astorga’s conviction, he was eligible for the death penalty, but state lawmakers have since repealed it. The corrections department said he will serve a minimum of 60 years in prison and is not eligible to earn what’s called “good time.”
James McGrane's parents have tried to make something positive come from the death of their son. They’ve raised thousands of dollars to help provide training and equipment for New Mexico law enforcement.
“We feel that it helps us to keep on going and we know we're helping to save lives of other officers,” said the victim’s father, James McGrane Sr. “Because we didn't want any other officer to go through what our son did.”
Bernalillo County commissioners are in the process of trying to build a memorial to honor the fallen deputy and other public servants killed in the line of duty.