Attacker gets more lenient sentence

The district attorney’s office had hoped to get the maximum sentence for a man convicted in an ax attack. Instead, he got probation.

In May, a jury found Richard Bustamante guilty of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was found not guilty of attempted murder.

But his defense attorney, Joe Romero, requested a new trial, alleging that prosecutors hadn’t provided all of the necessary medical records in the case. Prosecutor Tom Clayton called that assertion “dead wrong.”

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Las Vegas Optic, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Las Vegas Optic and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

Las Vegas Optic | circulation@lasvegasoptic.com | 505-425-6796
P.O. Box 2670, 720 University Ave Suite B, Las Vegas, NM 87701
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday