Solomon Peña trial postponed following conflict between defendant and attorney

Jury selection in a high-profile criminal case was postponed Monday due to a conflict between defendant Solomon Peña and his attorney.

Trial had been set to begin Monday for the former Republican candidate, who is accused of coordinating a series of shootings nearly two years ago that targeted Democratic lawmakers.

Peña’s now-former attorney Elizabeth Honce declined to specify the nature of the conflict to City Desk ABQ but said she did not find out there was an issue until she heard “rumblings” of “something happening” from Peña’s friends and family over the weekend.

Peña, whose case gained national attention last year, was described by local authorities as the “mastermind” behind a series of shootings that targeted county commissioners and state legislators starting in December 2022. The shootings happened after Peña lost the 2022 race for New Mexico House District 14. He lobbed accusations on social media that the election was rigged and implied he had been present at the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Honce said she was able to speak with Peña directly about the conflict for the first time on Sunday.

“He confirmed that, yes, he had this conflict. And I said I didn’t feel comfortable continuing either,” Honce said.

The conflict was on the part of both Peña and Honce, she said. Peña didn’t want her to continue, and she didn’t feel she could.

“It came up quite quickly,” Honce said.

After talking to Peña on Sunday, Honce said the judge was notified of the conflict. Honce said she didn’t like that the jury panel had already been called in when the conflict was brought up in court Monday morning, but she said she had no choice but to raise the issue.

In December 2022, then-County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley was one of four politicians whose homes were struck by gunfire following Peña’s unsuccessful campaign.

“It’s important, obviously, that this person is entitled to a fair trial,” O’Malley said. “But also, as someone who underwent the whole experience — including my family — it would be important to get it over with, if you will.”

O’Malley said she was initially scheduled to testify Wednesday. This morning, though, she received a text message from the U.S. Attorney’s Office informing her that Honce was no longer Peña’s attorney and therefore the case would be on hold, O’Malley said.

Sometimes conflicts come up between attorneys and clients, Honce said.

“I’m sure he’ll continue with another attorney,” she said. “Whether he hires one independently or gets a federal public defender — whichever one. There are lots of good attorneys out there to represent him.”

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