The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled that the state could be liable for the killing of Kathy Paquin after her murderer, Christopher Blattner, was mistakenly released from prison due to a paperwork error.
Blattner had been serving time for drug charges and had a history of violent crime, including a previous murder conviction.
He was released three years early and went on to kill Paquin in 2012, though he has never been convicted for that crime.
Paquin’s family, represented by attorney Adam Flores, has been fighting for justice, arguing that the Department of Corrections DOC should be held accountable for the negligent release of Blattner.
A previous district court ruling had stated that the DOC was immune from such lawsuits, but the Supreme Court’s recent decision allows the family to sue for damages.
This ruling could open the door for other lawsuits against the state in similar situations, prompting a potential reevaluation of how inmate releases are managed.
Flores expressed optimism about the case moving forward, emphasizing that the ruling could lead to better oversight and training within the corrections system to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Blattner is currently serving a 30-year federal sentence on drug charges, while the murder charges against him related to Paquin’s case remain unresolved.