ALBUQUERQUE (AP) – A University of New Mexico (UNM) student was released from jail on Wednesday after being accused of plotting with friends to confront a basketball player from a rival university, resulting in the shooting death of one UNM student and the wounding of the player.
A state district judge denied a request by prosecutors to keep Jonathan Smith, 19, in custody pending trial on charges of aggravated battery, conspiracy and tampering with evidence.
Smith’s attorney has said his client had no previous criminal record and comes from a good home.
Authorities said the plan for revenge on New Mexico State University (NMSU) basketball player Mike Peake followed a brawl at a college football game earlier this fall.
The shooting happened just hours before the scheduled tipoff of a basketball game between the two schools, and authorities said Peake was allegedly lured to the UNM campus in Albuquerque last Saturday.
Police identified Brandon Travis as the UNM student who was fatally shot and accused of planning the assault on Peake, the starting power forward for the Aggies basketball team.
Court documents state that a 17-year-old female UNM student conspired with Smith, Travis and another young man to get Peake on campus.
Once there, the men confronted Peake, and Travis shot him in the leg. Peake returned fire, killing Travis. The teen girl is facing conspiracy charges in juvenile court.
