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Plea Deal for Brutal Attack: Victim's Ordeal Ignored?
23 Nov
Summary
- Woman suffered horrific facial trauma and lost teeth in brutal attack.
- Attacker received a four-year plea deal, dropping rape charges.
- Victim questions justice system after attacker avoids sex offender status.
A harrowing domestic violence case in New Mexico has left a victim questioning the justice system after her attacker received a lenient plea deal. Hailey Valdez was brutally beaten and sexually assaulted by her boyfriend, Israel Ortiz, on December 22nd. The attack resulted in significant facial trauma, including cracked and missing teeth, and a brain bleed.
Despite the severity of the assault, Ortiz was offered a plea deal just days before his trial, which saw the rape charge dropped entirely. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with no requirement to register as a sex offender. Valdez expressed her anguish, questioning how such a violent crime could be met with such a "slap on the wrist."
Valdez recounted the horrific details of the attack, including how she was left exposed and bleeding. She also voiced concerns about the prosecutor's decision, stating she was not given a choice in accepting the plea deal. The victim now lives in fear of Ortiz's release.
