Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer retires after 15 years of service

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, a district judge in New Mexico, has announced she will retire at the end of May. She has served for 15 years on the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe. From 2019 to 2022, she also served as the chief judge for the district.

Judge Sommerโ€™s long career in law

Judge Sommerโ€™s career in law spans several roles. She worked as a law clerk, defense attorney, assistant attorney general, and hearing officer. Over the years, she has managed thousands of cases, including many involving domestic violence and family matters.

Sommer says she is grateful for her time on the bench. She called it an โ€œhonor and privilegeโ€ to serve but mentioned it was time to retire from the โ€œhectic schedule of court business.โ€

โ€œIโ€™ve admired and greatly appreciated the dedicated efforts of those working hard to provide fair and timely justice,โ€ Judge Sommer said.

Judge Sommerโ€™s Notable cases

Judge Sommer is perhaps best known for presiding over the trial of actor Alec Baldwin. In the summer, she dismissed a manslaughter charge against Baldwin after a tragic accident on the set of the film Rust. Baldwin was holding a pistol when it discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

Baldwin argued he had not pulled the trigger. The case faced further issues when it was revealed that ammunition, potentially connected to the shooting, had been brought to the sheriffโ€™s office. Prosecutors said it wasnโ€™t related to Hutchinsโ€™ death. Baldwinโ€™s legal team argued investigators had ignored the evidence. They had the case dismissed.

Later, Baldwin filed a civil lawsuit accusing the prosecution of malicious behavior and violating his rights. This ongoing case will feature another judge.

FILE - Actor Alec Baldwin attends his trial for involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie
FILE โ€“ Actor Alec Baldwin attends his trial for involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie โ€œRust,โ€ July 12, 2024, at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. (Ramsay de Give/Pool Photo via AP, File)

The Gutierrez-Reed case

The shooting also led to charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movieโ€™s weapons supervisor. She was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Judge Sommer oversaw this trial as well.

Service recognized

Bryan Biedscheid, the current Chief Judge, praised Judge Sommerโ€™s dedication to the law. He called her service unwavering and noted her commitment to justice.

During her time on the bench, Judge Sommer has handled around 21,600 cases. She began with family, abuse, neglect, and juvenile delinquency cases before moving into criminal law in 2012. Her cases included the Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed trials.

She also oversaw high-profile cases like the child molestation trial of former teacher Gary Gregor and the case of Jeannine Jaramillo, who killed a police officer and retired firefighter in a car crash.

Even though Judge Sommerโ€™s term was to end in 2028, her retirement opens the door for a new judge. A judicial nominating commission will review candidates to fill the vacancy. The governor will then appoint someone to serve the remainder of her term.

In summary, Judge Sommerโ€™s legal career has been long and impactful. Her service to New Mexicoโ€™s judicial system has made a lasting mark, and her retirement will leave a notable void in the court.

TOP HEADLINES

African Americans Find Heritage in Kenya Relocation

NAIROBI, Kenya โ€” Kenneth Harris, after years spent in Atlanta longing for an existence...

Thailand, Cambodia in New Tensions Amid Ceasefire Calls

In the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, tensions continue to escalate as...

Southwest flight dives to avoid collision in California

Passengers on board a Southwest Airlines flight experienced a terrifying moment when the aircraft...

Israel Plans Airdrop Aid to Gaza Amid Rising Hunger

Israel's military has declared plans to commence airdrops of aid to the Gaza region...

Phillies Beat Yankees 9-4; Judge Sidelined

Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Edmundo Sosa were the stars in Philadelphia's victory over...

Rays trade for Gray, put Montes on assignment list

The Tampa Bay Rays made a roster move, acquiring minor league infielder Tristan Gray...
USLive
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.