Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - A jury has found Joel Arciniega-Saenz guilty of first-degree murder in the 2021 killing of James Garcia, Doña Ana District Attorney Fernando Macias announced Wednesday.​

Arciniega-Saenz was accused of stabbing Garcia 84 times with a switchblade on June 20, 2021, before decapitating him and severing a finger. Prosecutors said he then kicked the victim’s head after the killing.​

The case faced delays due to competency evaluations for Arciniega-Saenz, who was unhoused at the time of the incident.​

Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson, who helped prosecute the case, said the verdict was a step toward justice.

“Our office remains committed to working diligently to make our streets safer, one case at a time,” he said.​

Chief Deputy District Attorney Melissa Garcia credited Las Cruces police for their role in the case.

“Although our office prosecuted this case, the real heroes are the Las Cruces Police Department officers,” she said. “This was a horrific case that they investigated and stuck with from beginning to end.”​

Macias extended condolences to Garcia’s family.

“Despite lengthy challenges, we remained steadfast in our pursuit of justice for those affected,” he said. “We reaffirm our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring the safety of this community.”​

Prior to the murder, Arciniega-Saenz had been released from jail on an unsecured bond related to a vandalism charge. He was indicted by a grand jury on June 29, 2021.