April 2025. Blues Vol 41 No.4

GUEST COMENTARYLiz

GUEST COMENTARYLiz CollinWife Fights for Husband's Freedom"If you have to make the decision to save your life, now you canbe charged and you can lose your livelihood and your liberty."By Liz CollinIn a case that resembles morethan a few prosecutions of policeofficers in Minnesota, a formerNew Mexico police officer isfighting for his freedom in court.His wife shared details about theSoros-funded attorney generalwho led the case and the juroraccused of lying to Liz Collin onher podcast.In 2022, Officer Brad Lunsfordresponded to a call about astolen beer at a gas station inLas Cruces, New Mexico. Thesuspect, a man named PresleyEze, wasn’t complying or cooperating,so Lunsford waited forbackup to arrive.But when the other officerarrived, they began to strugglewith the suspect. The otherofficer fell and hit his head. Thesuspect got on top of the otherofficer and stole his Taser. That’swhen Officer Lunsford—whofeared for his life and the life ofthe other officer—shot and killedthe suspect.All of this was recorded onbody camera video. An internalinvestigation cleared Lunsfordof any wrongdoing and he wassoon back on the job.34 The BLUES - APRIL ‘25A year later, however, the NewMexico attorney general—whowas at one point backed byGeorge Soros and also previouslyworked in the Obama administration—decidedto prosecuteLunsford.Officer Lunsford’s wife, LacyLunsford, explained how he wasfound guilty of voluntary manslaughterin February 2025 andsome of the details that havecome to light with his sentencinglooming in the near future.Lacy told Collin how Bradwas at work that day at the LasCruces Police Department andcalled with shocking news.Lacy explained, “He called methat day from work and youcould tell he was crying, he wasreally upset. And my first thoughtwas someone had died. Youknow, we were never expectinghim to be charged and we wereflabbergasted that he was beingcharged. You know, he wascleared, he was back at work,everything was OK. And then forthem to drop these charges wasjust so shocking.”Unfortunately, they experiencedeven greater disbelief thispast February when the guiltyverdict was read.“The prosecution, the whole

trial, it was just ridiculous howincompetent they were. And thenwe found out stuff later thatmade everything make sensewith the jurors and the foreperson,”Lacy said.She also explained that “twoof the jurors that were alternateswere switched for two regularsand they weren’t even switchedin order. There was no reasonwhy they were switched. Wedon’t know. We don’t know whyit happened…”Making the situation worse,Lacy said, “We were later contactedby a person who shouldhave been a regular juror. Andthey did an affidavit and saidthey never would have said guiltyand no one would have changedtheir mind. So at the least wewould have had a hung jury anda mistrial. But that didn’t cometo light until after the guilty verdict.”Lacy also explained how thisinformation—and even moreoutrageous details—came tolight after the trial: “And thenwe found out that the forepersonwas actually an anti-policeactivist. They’ve been to differentprotests. They have all thispublished work on racism andanti-police and you know whiteprivilege and stuff like that.”Based on this information, anew attorney will argue for anew trial later this week.Lacy said, “Right now they’reholding him unlawfully andthey’re violating his civil rightsand the AG’s office just don’tseem to care. The AG’s office,they’re supposed to uphold thelaw, the U.S. Constitution, theNew Mexico Constitution, andright now they don’t care thatthey’re violating Brad’s civilrights by holding him because hedid not get a fair trial.”“The AG has set a new precedentfor all law enforcement inNew Mexico. This is a dangerousnew era for policing. If youhave to make the decision tosave your life, now you can becharged and you can lose yourlivelihood and your liberty andit’s going to trickle down to thecommunity,” Lacy added.When asked about how thiscase has affected her family,Lacy said, “We’re holding up, butour boys, it’s been so tough onthem. We have a nine-year-oldand a six-year-old, and it’s justbeen heartbreaking. Our youngest,you know, he’s waking upat night crying for dad, and itjust breaks my heart. You know,I can’t fix it. I can’t bring dadhome. And it’s just been horriblefor our family.”Former officer Brad Lunsfordserved a decade with the LasCruces Police Department. Hepreviously completed two combatdeployments in the U.S. Armyand is a father of two youngboys.A fund has been set up to helpthe Lunsford family through thisdifficult time.This article originally appearedat Alpha News.The BLUES - APRIL ‘25 35