Police say domestic violence leaves one dead and one jailed

This article contains discussions of domestic violence. Help is available. La Casa offers emergency shelter via walk-in between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. or by calling 575-526-9513.

A Las Cruces woman remains in jail after police said she fatally stabbed her partner’s brother last week. 

Selena Carrillo, 28, is charged with an open count of murder and misdemeanor battery against a household member. Police say she stabbed Michael Mata, 30, to death on Aug. 29 at their home on the 1900 block of Buchanan Avenue at the conclusion of a domestic violence flurry. 

According to an affidavit, Carrillo told police that she’d been on a drinking binge for several days when she’d gotten into an argument with her girlfriend the morning of Aug. 29.

The girlfriend confirmed this, according to the affidavit, and added that Carrillo had beaten her at some point that morning. The affidavit noted that she had visible injuries when she spoke with the police.

The girlfriend said that Carrillo left the house they both shared with Mata after the fight but returned a short time later.

Fearing for her safety, the girlfriend hid from Carrillo inside Mata’s room with Mata inside, the affidavit continued. She told Mata not to open the door when Carrillo approached. But he did, and a fight between Mata and Carrillo ensued. 

When the girlfriend came out, she discovered Mata lying on the floor near a bloody knife and that Carrillo was gone. The girlfriend was later taken to a local hospital to be treated for her wounds. 

Police arrested Carrillo a short time later. She was on foot, the affidavit said, wearing a shirt and shoes covered in blood and matching a description provided by a neighbor. 

Carrillo did not confess to the killing in the affidavit but did say that she “did something very bad and deserved to rot in jail forever.”

The affidavit also notes that Carrillo admitted she and her girlfriend had gotten into physical fights before and that Mata would intervene. Carrillo did not say whether that was the case this time. 

Court records also show one pending case against Carrillo involving domestic violence allegations. Carrillo was on probation at the time of her arrest for a non-domestic violence-related conviction. 

Those factors will play a vital role in the pretrial detention hearing to come after prosecutors requested that a judge hold her in jail without bond on Aug. 30. To make that happen, prosecutors must prove that Carrillo is dangerous and that no conditions of release – such as an ankle monitor or cash bond – can protect the public. 

That hearing has yet to be scheduled as of this article’s writing. Carrillo’s attorney could not be reached for comment.