The Associated Press
A man accused of gunning down two veteran Albuquerque police officers was arraigned Saturday on two open counts of murder, and complained that he was not fit to appear in court in his red prison jumpsuit.
John Hyde, 48, heard the charges during his video arraignment in the deaths of Officers Michael King and Richard Smith.
Police on Friday had charged Hyde with four counts of murder, two in the deaths of the officers Thursday night and two in a separate shooting at a motorcycle shop earlier the same day.
Hyde was held without bond at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.
King, 50, and Smith, 47, were shot when they went to pick up Hyde for a mental health evaluation requested by a doctor.
Earlier that evening, David Fisher, 17, and Garret Iversen, 26, were found dead at a motorcycle shop, Rider Valley Motorcycles. Hyde was charged with two counts of murder and armed robbery in that case.
In addition, investigators were looking into possible connections to the shooting death early Thursday of state Transportation Department worker Ben Lopez.
“It’s still an open investigation,’' police spokesman John Walsh said late Friday. “We have had no further developments, but we’re looking at the possibility of a connection.’'
Police Chief Ray Schultz, choking back tears, told a news conference Friday about the shootings of the officers after they were sent on what sounded like a routine call.
“When they got to the scene, they didn’t know there was a monster waiting for them,’' he said.
The chief said the sequence of events wasn’t clear, but that Smith returned fire at Hyde and missed.
According to a criminal complaint, the first officer on the scene afterward saw Smith on the ground and Hyde on a motorcycle nearby. The officer pointed his gun at Hyde and ordered him to the ground. Before speeding away, Hyde shouted: “Mexican Mafia rules.’'
The motorcycle, according to the complaint, was similar to the one seen leaving the motorcycle shop.
Police later caught up with Hyde and he crashed his motorcycle.
Hyde told police after being arrested that he was responsible for shooting the two officers, the complaint said.
Police found two firearms at Hyde’s residence, and bullets there matched those found at the motorcycle shop, according to the complaint.
The officers killed were veterans with 20 years’ experience. Both previously had retired from the department only to return. Their fathers also are retired Albuquerque police officers.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Donations for the slain officers’ families can be made at any Bank of America nationwide to the Albuquerque Police Officers Association/Michael King and Richard Smith Benefit Account.