Clovis, New Mexico

From the Clovis News Journal of September 21, 2005

Bail revocation ends in shooting injuries

A Clovis bail bond employee and a suspected bail-jumper suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds Tuesday.

Crystal Snell of Hank’s Bail Bonds was shot in the leg and Javier Sanchez, 33, in the lower back about 10 a.m. in the 300 block of Gaylord, according law enforcement officials.

Both were shot by Hank Bayless, the owner of Hank’s Bail Bonds, as he tried to revoke Sanchez’ bond, according to a police press release.
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Bayless was questioned by Clovis police Tuesday and released, Chandler said.

Chandler said the investigation is ongoing and he did not know if charges would be filed.

He said Bayless had a permit to carry the firearm.

According to court records, Sanchez failed to appear in court Aug. 9 for his arraignment on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.

Sanchez had not been booked at the Curry County Detention Center as of late Tuesday night, according to a jail official.

Sheila Baker of Goodman Bail Bonds in Clovis posted $32,000 for his release on May 1.

Baker said she contracted Bayless to assist in apprehending Sanchez because she believed Sanchez had a violent streak and neither she nor any of her employees at Goodman Bail Bonds carry guns.

Tipped off by an informant, Baker, Bayless and Snell went looking for Sanchez at the 300 block of Gaylord.

A man who answered the door at the 300 block of Gaylord said Sanchez was not there. But Baker said they saw Sanchez through the door.

Baker said Sanchez tried to get away and kicked her to the ground. She said Sanchez tried to grab the weapon from Bayless. She heard two shots. She said even after Sanchez was shot he continued to try to escape and had to be physically restrained by Bayless.

Baker said Bayless called the Clovis Police Department three times asking for backup before entering the home. She said the police denied the requests. Lt. Jim Schoeffel, public relations officer for the Clovis Police Department, did not return calls seeking comment.

Baker said Bayless was acting in self-defense. Chandler said there was only one gun involved in the shooting and it belonged to Bayless.

From the Clovis News Journal of October 9, 2005

Bondsman says shooting was self-defense

Bail bondsman Hank Bayless said Saturday he acted in self-defense and he should not have to face criminal charges in connection with the shooting of two people last month while trying to serve an arrest warrant.

Bayless, 63, was indicted Friday by a grand jury for breaking and entering, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to a Friday press release from the district attorney’s office.

Bayless forced his way into a private residence Sept. 20 and shot Javier Sanchez, 33, in the back while trying to take him into custody for failing to appear for a court date, according to the district attorney’s office.

Christina Snell, 31, Bayless’ employee at Hank’ Bail Bonds, was also shot in the leg during the incident at a Gayland Drive apartment.

Bayless was not indicted in connection with shooting Snell, District Attorney Matt Chandler said Saturday.

Bayless was released from the Curry County Detention Center later Friday on a $10,000 bond.

“I didn’t shoot Sanchez in the back or while he was trying to flee,” Bayless said Saturday morning as he pulled weeds outside his office. “He was shot in the butt.”

Bayless said Sanchez was extremely violent and threw Snell to the ground and against walls. He said Sanchez told the bondsmen, “I’m going to kill you.”

“During the struggle to secure him (Sanchez), he tried to disarm me and the gun fired.” Bayless said.

Bayless said he did not force his way into an apartment.

“We paid a resident of the apartment to snitch on Sanchez, call us and leave the door ajar,” Bayless said. “It was not a forced entry.”

(More)

From the Clovis News Journal of October 3, 2006

Bail bondsman acquitted in shooting

Jury agrees bail bondsman was acting in self-defense.
The wife, daughter and an employee of a Clovis bondsman accused of crimes against a suspected bail jumper linked hands outside the Curry County Courthouse and huddled shoulder to shoulder, relieved.

A jury found Clovis bail bondsman Hank Bayless not guilty Monday of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and breaking and entering.

The verdict was announced after more than four hours of deliberation and five days in trial, officials said.
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Bayless was indicted almost a year ago by a grand jury on battery and assault with a deadly weapon and breaking and entering. Bayless shot Javier Sanchez, 34, of Clovis in the lower back in September 2005 while attempting to revoke Sanchez’ bond. Bayless also shot his employee Snell in the leg.

Bayless said he fired his gun in self-defense. Outside the courtroom Monday night, Snell said Bayless defended her against a violent Sanchez, who is currently an inmate at the Curry County Adult Detention Center.

“He saved my life,” said Snell, with tears in her eyes.

Snell continues to work for Bayless.

Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler said he wanted a jury to decide Bayless’ fate because of conflicting testimony from eyewitnesses.

He said several expert witnesses called upon in the trial extended its length. Prosecuting Bayless was attorney John Nilan. Representing Bayless was attorney Michael Garrett of Clovis.

“Our job,” said Chandler, “is to seek the truth.”

“Mr. Nilan presented as many of the facts of the case as allowed under the rules of criminal procedure,” Chandler said. “The jury made a decision based on those facts, and we completely respect their decision.”