N.M. man pleads guilty to beating, stabbing, raping 70-year-old woman who was jogging on trail
02/01/2024 4:27 pm PST
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (TCD) -- A man pleaded guilty this week to charges related to the 2022 sexual assault and stabbing of an elderly woman who was jogging with her dog on a trail.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced Jan. 30 that Reginald Hall pleaded guilty during his trial this week to criminal sexual penetration resulting in great bodily harm, criminal sexual penetration with a deadly weapon, three counts of aggravated battery, and cruelty to animals.
According to KRQE-TV, a judge sentenced Hall to 49 years in prison with 19 years suspended.
On Aug. 19, 2022, at around 7:30 a.m., Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area near 2nd Street and Woodward Road Southwest on the Bosque trail to a report of a stabbing. The reporting party reportedly saw a man, later identified as Hall, who was 19 at the time, pulling a 70-year-old woman into a canal. The witness confronted Hall, snapping photos of him, and then the suspect fled the scene on a scooter.
According to the sheriff’s office, bystanders helped the woman get out of the canal and led first responders to her. Deputies and fire rescue personnel provided medical aid to the victim. She was eventually transported to a hospital to treat multiple stab wounds, as well as injuries from a sexual assault.
Around the same time, deputies learned of a small fire near the scene after witnesses reportedly saw Hall igniting the flames. Investigators speculated the fire began shortly before Hall attacked the victim, and it grew to a "noticeable size" before the sheriff’s office received the report. Bernalillo County Fire and wild land fire units extinguished the flames quickly.
A search for Hall ensued, and at around 5:30 p.m., Albuquerque Police found the suspect near the 1700 block of 2nd Street Southwest, and they took him into custody following a foot pursuit. According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect had a knife and other items of evidence in his possession.
Investigators interviewed Hall, and he reportedly said he started the fire "because he was cold."
Before his sentencing, KRQE reports the victim addressed Hall, stating, "I am 71 years old now, and I have been through a lot in my life."
The woman continued, "I don’t know you, I never knew you, but I feel really badly for you. I hope that someday you will be guided to make different choices in your life so that you can find peace."
Hall must serve at least 85% of his sentence, KRQE reports. Following his release, Hall will have to register as a sex offender and serve five to 20 years of probation.
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