New Mexico
New Mexico man calls 911, admits killing his landlord 15 years earlier: “I don’t want to live life anymore without confessing”
Police officers found Tony Peralta earlier this month sitting on a curb not far from the convenience store in a small southeastern New Mexico community where he borrowed a cellphone – so he could call 911 and confess to killing his landlord 15 years earlier.
Sweating and taking puffs from his cigarette, he told them he’s tired of covering it up, tired of living with the lie and tired of being overwhelmed by guilt. He agreed to take the officers to where he buried the body before standing up and volunteering to be cuffed.
Police in Roswell released the 911 recording and nearly an hour of officer body camera video in response to a records request filed by The Associated Press. The May 1 footage shows Peralta repeatedly thanking the officers for picking him up.
“I confess, man. I confess. I don’t want to live life anymore without confessing,” he said while sitting in an interview room at police headquarters.
The uniformed officers and detectives who talked with Peralta peppered him with questions about when the killing happened, how he did it and why. Peralta kept answering that he didn’t know or didn’t remember, acknowledging that he had been drinking “a lot” the day he called 911.
Peralta, 37, was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of first-degree murder but did not attend the hearing. He pleaded not guilty to the charge through his public defender, Ray Conley, who declined to comment after the hearing. Conley has said he will ensure Peralta’s due process is respected as the case moves through court.
A judge on Tuesday also set Peralta’s trial for October but said that date could change.
At times, the authorities had asked if Peralta was making up the story and leading them on a goose chase since he wasn’t providing many details, other than saying he had killed someone a long time ago.
“There’s a dead body in there, dude!” he told one officer while in the back of a patrol car parked in front of the home where he once was a tenant of 69-year-old William Blodgett. Peralta said he’d feel better once the body was found.
Investigators said they obtained a search warrant and found a boot, bones and dentures after removing plywood floorboards from a detached room on the side of the house.
The dentures were compared with Blodgett’s dental records – obtained in early 2009 after he was reported missing – and that led to a positive identification, according to police.
CBS affiliate KRQE-TV reported Blodgett’s son reported him missing in January 2009, saying he had not been seen since Christmas Eve. Court records reveal police used a cadaver dog on the property days after he had disappeared. According to a police report, a witness told police Blodgett had accused Peralta of stealing his wallet and tried to evict him. But, according to the report, neither the police dog nor Peralta gave provided any leads and police closed the case the station reported.
A tearful Peralta told police he didn’t know why he had killed Blodgett. At one point, police video shows him putting his head down onto a table during an interview and sobbing.
Peralta told police he decided to come forward because “his heart hurts” and that he thought about it every day. He told an officer that Blodgett was a good man and that he took his life for no reason while high on methamphetamine.
“I don’t have an excuse,” he told police. “A lot of people have an excuse. I don’t have one.”
Blodgett’s girlfriend and family had not seen him since late December 2008. She told police that Peralta, who was considered a suspect by police early on, allegedly had some sort or argument or fight with Blodgett, who had tried to evict him.
Authorities at the time had talked to Blodgett’s family, friends and neighbors and visited the home the two men shared, which appeared to have been abandoned with personal belongings still in place. Police found no immediate signs of foul play and Blodgett’s vehicle was still there, according to the original missing person report.
Detectives would periodically drive by the house but never spotted anyone.
Police said the case went cold after investigators exhausted all leads until Peralta’s 911 call.
Peralta said he wanted to confess because of his own family and the detective told him he was helping Blodgett’s family too, KRQE reported.
“Tell them that he was a good man, and I shouldn’t have done what I did,” Peralta said. “He was always good to me, and I took his life for no reason, and I don’t have an excuse.”
New Mexico
New Mexico WR Ryan Davis transfers to Utah
Utah continues to strengthen its receiving corps with the addition of Ryan Davis, a talented wide receiver from New Mexico. Davis announced his commitment to the Utes, marking a significant boost to their offensive depth.
Davis was a standout performer for the Lobos last season, finishing as the team’s second-leading receiver. He totaled 54 receptions for 747 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to make plays in crucial moments. His production extended to games against Power 4 competition, with Davis recording 12 catches for 181 yards in matchups against Arizona, Auburn, and Washington State. This ability to perform against high-level opponents highlights his potential impact at Utah.
At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Davis is a versatile slot receiver with the capability to stretch the field and contribute at all levels of the passing game. His sure hands and reliable route-running were evident as he recorded at least one catch in each of New Mexico’s final 11 games. Davis also has a track record of academic success, earning Mountain West All-Academic and Scholar-Athlete honors.
Utah defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa enters transfer portal
Davis is the third player to transfer from New Mexico to Utah, joining a pipeline established by Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck and wide receivers coach Micah Simon. His familiarity with their system should ease his transition to the Utes’ offense.
Former Oklahoma QB Brendan Zurbrugg transfers to Utah
Before his time at New Mexico, Davis played at UAB, where he contributed for three seasons. His experience across multiple programs adds valuable depth and leadership to Utah’s wide receiver room.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Davis brings experience, consistency, and a competitive edge to a Utah team that continues to bolster its offensive firepower heading into the upcoming season.
New Mexico
Latest on Christmas Day storm in parts of New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Dry and warm weather will remain through Christmas Eve before a weak winter storm impact parts of the state on Christmas Day.
Light snow accumulation is likely across the northern mountains and Raton Pass, resulting in some slick roads and minor travel impacts.
Breezy to locally windy conditions are possible across the southern and southwest mountains, and the eastern plains on Christmas as well.
Watch the video above for more from Meteorologist Brandon Richards.
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New Mexico
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