SANTA FE — Estevan Montoya will remain in jail while he awaits trial on charges he shot and killed former Santa Fe High School basketball player Fedonta “J.B.” White.
State District Judge T. Glenn Ellington ruled Thursday that Montoya could pose a threat to the public and also could be in danger himself if he were released. Ellington said there were no conditions of release “that would ensure the safety of the community,” the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
Montoya, through his attorney, Dan Marlowe, pleaded not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder, among other counts. The judge ruled last week that Montoya, 17, will be tried as an adult.
In arguing for Montoya to be kept in custody, Prosecutor David Shapiro cited Montoya’s school disciplinary records, a cellphone video that he says Montoya holding and shooting a gun at a park and allegations he threatened fellow students at Capital High School with a gun.
Marlowe argued that this is the first time Montoya has been charged with a violent offense and he should be placed on GPS monitoring and house arrest under the custody of his grandmother.
White died after being shot during a house party in Chupadero, north of Santa Fe, where several teenagers were allegedly drinking alcohol, prosecutors say.