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Bill Oxford

Where's the accountability?' former Santa Fe council member asks of no jail time for destroyed obelisk

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A former Santa Fe City council member is upset with District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies who, after the destruction of a 152-year-old obelisk last year, did not seek jail time.

Former City Councilor Ron Trujillo responded angrily to the district attorney's decision. 

“What a crock of crap that these people who were involved in vandalizing city property technically get off with a slap on the wrist. All this time there was talk about justice, justice will come, these people will be held accountable. Where’s the accountability? They’re not being held accountable,” former city councilor Ron Trujillo told the Santa Fe New Mexican.

According to Fox News, protestors destroyed the obelisk on Indigenous Peoples Day, marked as Columbus Day by many communities, saying they took offense to the obelisk referring to "savage Indians" killing heroes.

Native Americans have long agreed, and complained, that indeed the obelisk is a racist representation, Fox News reported.

For the destruction, Carmack-Altwies cut a deal with seven of the eight defendants, allowing them to avoid jail time. Instead, they must participate in a pre-prosecution probation program for six months to two years. 

The "restorative justice" program also requires them to perform 40 hours of community service and write a letter admitting their guilt in the destruction of the obelisk, Fox News reported. 

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