A New Mexico mother, Elizabeth Ortiz-Chavez, has admitted to committing a murder for which her teenage son was initially blamed.
Ortiz-Chavez, 49, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of 16-year-old Josue Ruiz in March 2022, behind Lindy’s Diner in Albuquerque... Continue reading here ▶
The incident began when Ortiz-Chavez allegedly arranged a fight between Ruiz and her son, Angelo Baldonado, after hearing that Ruiz had reportedly hit her pregnant daughter, who was dating Ruiz. Ortiz-Chavez drove them to an alley near Fifth Street and Central Avenue, where she fatally shot Ruiz.
At first, her 16-year-old son, Angelo, was charged with the murder as an adult. Jail calls revealed that Ortiz-Chavez considered confessing to the crime, but Angelo urged her to stay silent, suggesting that as a minor, he would face a lighter sentence. Prosecutors later argued that she let Angelo take the blame intentionally to protect herself.
The truth came to light in March 2023 when Ortiz-Chavez’s other son, Gilbert, revealed what really happened during a Facebook conversation with a woman.
Gilbert explained that Ortiz-Chavez and Angelo had confronted Ruiz, and Ruiz was shot before he could pull a gun on them. Gilbert expressed anger toward his mother for allowing Angelo to take the fall, saying, “She’s the worst of the worst.”
The woman reported the conversation to the police, leading to Ortiz-Chavez’s arrest. Angelo, who helped organize the fight, was sentenced to four years in prison for assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Ortiz-Chavez now faces up to 18 years in prison for her role in the crime.
