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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2002

A New Mexico State Judge on Thursday cleared a Bureau of Indian Affairs criminal investigator of wrongdoing for the dragging death of a young, deaf Pueblo woman.

Marcelino Toersbijns was facing a $46 traffic fine for dragging Alicia Waseta, 21, to death on a street in Santa Fe. Municipal Judge Frances Gallegos found him innocent after a two-hour trial.

The state had declined to bring vehicular homicide charges in the case. Toersbijns was in his BIA vehicle when he hit Waseta, who was from Laguna Pueblo.

Waseta's family has filed various claims against the BIA and the state for the death.

Get the Story:
IA Officer Cleared in Traffic Death (The Albuquerque Journal 3/8)

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