ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The youngest juvenile involved in the death of a bicyclist last year has been officially charged with murder. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said Messiah Hayes was one of four kids who intentionally hit and killed Scott Habermehl last May as he biked to work. Hayes was 11 years old at the time.
Police said he was a passenger in the stolen car and was armed with a gun. Bregman also said Hayes is a suspect in multiple burglaries from when he was as young as 10 years old. Johnathan Overbay pled guilty in connection with the case and will stay in juvenile jail until he is 21 years old. William Garcia and Elijah Engelking are also facing murder charges.
New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender sent this statement:
We are so saddened by this case for the Habermehl family and for our client. He is literally a boy, barely 10 years when he was first out on the streets alone. It should surprise no one that he has had a rough, rough young life. But he also has an extended family who tried very hard to find him and save him from getting swept up in trouble. How do we as a community reckon with all of this in a just way and in a healing way?
Attorney Sarah Gallegos
