BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
A detainee at the Los Alamos Detention Center who complained that she is not receiving proper medical care at the facility has actually been seen by a medical professional, both in-house and at the emergency room, a total of eight times, Los Alamos Chief of Police Dino Sgambellone said Friday.
Savannah Martinez, 25, of Ohkay Owingeh, has been housed at the Los Alamos Detention Center because she can’t be housed in at the Rio Arriba County Detention Center in Tierra Amarilla. She is one of seven people charged in the death of Cameron Martinez in Espanola in October 2018 and another defendant, Mark Hice is incarcerated at that facility.
Under the terms of a plea agreement Savannah Martinez was to serve three years of probation for tampering with evidence in return for her cooperation with prosecutors in the case, however, she was arrested in January for not complying with the conditions of her probation. She has been housed at the Los Alamos Detention Center since Jan. 16 with the cost to be borne by the Rio Arriba County Detention Center. Martinez was originally charged with conspiracy to commit first degree murder and three counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle – great bodily harm.
First Judicial District Judge Maria Sanchez-Gagne on Thursday denied a motion filed by Martinez’s attorney David Foster that she be released. Judge Sanchez-Gagne’s order said she is concerned about the health issues raised by Martinez and that the Los Alamos County Detention Center is to ensure she receives medically necessary treatment including a complete physical and treatment for her rashes, infections and cysts. Judge Sanchez-Gagne ordered that Martinez see an ObGyn within seven days and that she be transported for her medical appointments by Rio Arriba County.
Judge Sanchez-Gagne said if Hice’s trial is continued, she is willing to consider further motions regarding Martinez’s continued detention.
Chief Sgambellone said his Department had not yet received the court order indicating what additional medical attention is being ordered for Martinez
“We consistently ensure all those under our care within the Detention Center receive appropriate and necessary care,” he said.