Suspects ID’d in stabbing

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — Authorities issued warrants Wednesday night for the arrest of two Gallup men in connection with the stabbing death of a 30-year-old Pinehill man, Tuesday.

Bryland Skeets, 19, and Turak Newman,16, are wanted in connection with the stabbing death of Jesse James Pinto in a ditch behind the Coronado Motel on east U.S. Highway 66.

Skeets is facing an open count of murder and Newman will be charged with accessory to murder once he is arrested.

Deputy Police Chief John Allen, a spokesman for the Gallup Police Department, said local authorities are searching for the pair who are not at their local residences.

Witnesses at the scene reportedly identified Skeets and Newman as the suspects in the case.

Pinto and two other men were stabbed while they drank alcohol in the ditch at about 6:30 p.m., Tuesday. Skeets and Newman reportedly approached the trio, asked for alcohol and assaulted the men after they said they had nothing to give.

Two of the victims were treated and released from the Gallup Indian Medical Center Tuesday. Pinto succumbed to his injuries as he fled the ditch.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Skeets or Newman, is asked to call Crimestoppers at (505) 722-6161. The agency is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the case.