FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 17, 2016
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Albuquerque, NM – Attorney General Hector Balderas announced today that the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled to uphold the first-degree murder conviction of Anthony John Morris in a 25 year-old cold case. The Office of the Attorney General Criminal Appeals Division handled the appeal for the State.
“I am pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to affirm Mr. Morris’ conviction and am grateful that after two and a half decades, the family of Mary DuPris can see justice upheld and have some closure,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “Our office will continue to work with local district attorneys and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the most violent criminal offenders are held accountable for their crimes.”
In 2011, Albuquerque Police Department cold case investigators renewed efforts in the investigation of the murder of Mary DuPris, who disappeared the day after Christmas in 1991 and was found dead. With the help of newly available DNA evidence, scientific testimony from investigators in various disciplines, and the testimony from additional witnesses, the investigation culminated in the conviction of Anthony John Morris in the Second Judicial District Court for the willful and deliberate first-degree murder of Mary DuPris. Morris took a direct appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court, where he challenged the sufficiency of the evidence. Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court affirmed the conviction.
Please see attached for photo of Anthony John Morris. Click here for the decision –
http://www.nmcompcomm.us/nmcases/NMSCUnreported/2016/SC35259.pdf
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