Judge who released compound suspects to retire
Ruling triggered criticism, threats
SANTA FE — State District Judge Sarah Backus of Taos, who became the target of a barrage of threats, insults and criticism after an August ruling in the case of five adults from a remote compound accused of training children to carry out attacks, has announced her retirement.
Backus, who was appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Susana Martinez in 2011, will step down at the end of February.
“It has been a great honor to serve the people of the Eighth Judicial District for the past 7½ years.” Backus said in a statement. “I appreciate their support and confidence in me, especially after my controversial ruling last August.
“In thousands of cases I have heard, I have strived to uphold the law and to treat all people equally under the law regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender or economic status, and to follow the law to the very best of my ability. I wish everyone continued success and happiness.”
In her August decision, Backus ruled that the Muslim suspects from a ramshackle compound near Amelia could be released from jail pending trial despite prosecution claims they were training their children for armed attacks on public institutions. The body of the 8-yearold son of one of the suspects was found at the compound. He died after the adults, including his father, allegedly refused to provide the boy with medications he needed to treat seizures.
After her ruling, the internet exploded with vitriolic criticism of Backus and the Taos County courthouse was temporarily closed due to threats of violence. But some in the legal community commended Backus for having the courage to make a difficult ruling based on what was presented to her in court.
Backus explained in a written opinion that while she was troubled by the details of the case, prosecutors failed to give her evidence of child abuse — the charge the defen-
dants faced at the time — or show that the defendants would be a danger to the community if released. The only evidence she was given about the dead boy was that he had been ill and adults prayed over him, she wrote.
The case against the five adults later moved to federal court and they remain in federal custody.
Backus is a graduate of the law school at the University of California and has lived in Taos for 25 years. She worked in the Taos District Attorney’s Office and as planning director for the town government before becoming a judge.
An independent judicial nominating committee will screen applicants to replace Backus and recommend nominees to the governor, who will appoint a new judge. To keep the seat, the appointee must run in the first statewide election after appointment, in this case in 2020.