Bail granted for Carson Estates murder suspect
A 35-year-old Nebraska felon charged with shooting and killing a Denver, Colorado, man at a Carson Estates residence last month was granted bail at a Sept. 16 detention hearing this week.
Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Jeff Shannon signed a release order for Nathaniel Bassett last week and imposed a $20,000 surety bond, of which Bassett paid 10 percent – or $2,000 – to be released
this week.
A jail log showed that Bassett had been released from the Taos County jail as of Tuesday morning (Sept. 22). Judge Shannon is requiring that he remain in the custody of his father, who lives in Tres Piedras – several miles west of where the alleged murder took place.
Bassett, who has at least one prior felony in another state, is accused of shooting and killing 43-year-old William Buchanan on Aug. 17 at a residence south of Montoya Road in the off-the-grid community near Taos.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Buchanan arrived at the residence with two friends to retrieve some of his belongings, when he and the owner of the homeowner became involved in a physical altercation. At least one witness told investigators with the Taos County Sheriff’s Office that Bassett arrived at the residence during the struggle, shot Buchanan with a rifle and then pointed the weapon at one of Buchanan’s friends. Bassett is also accused of threatening a witness to “not say anything” about the shooting.
Deputies arrested Bassett on Aug. 27 with a warrant charging him with first-degree murder; assault with intent to commit a violent felony; tampering with evidence; bribery of a witness and possession of a firearm by a felon.
While there were no public filings related to the case in the district court as of Friday afternoon, District Attorney Marcus Montoya said Shannon also downgraded Bassett’s original murder charge to second-degree murder.
Assistant Deputy District Attorney Angela McDonald represented the DA’s office at the hearing and argued that Bassett would present a danger to the community and a flight risk if released. Bassett’s attorney, local public defender Aleksandar Kostich, argued that the state did not have sufficient evidence to support a charge of first-degree murder.
Buchnan’s father, William Buchanan Sr., said during a phone interview on Thursday (Sept. 17) that he felt “nothing short of anger” over Wednesday’s decision. He said he and his son are Black. He felt that the murder could also be interpreted as a hate crime.
Kostich had not responded to a request for comment on Wednesday’s hearing as of Friday evening.