Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe is calling for a “thorough review of our justice system” after a man who was ruled “not competent” and deemed not dangerous reportedly stabbed a woman 20 times.
George Joshua Schwerin, 34, of Red Valley, Arizona, was released from jail on July 31, after District Judge Stephen Wayne found him incompetent to stand trial in a case that involved charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, DWI and open container, according to court records.
Schwerin had repeatedly failed to appear for court dates and should have been held in jail, according to Hebbe.
“Repeatedly failing to show up for court and getting released again is a disgrace,” the chief said.
The bigger issue, according to Hebbe, was that all charges against Schwerin were dismissed, when both the DA and the defense attorney stated that the “defendant is not dangerous.”
Schwerin was released from custody.
“Six days after his release, he stabs an innocent woman more than 20 times. She has barely survived,” Hebbe said. “Every one of us should be sick of the repeated excuses, rationalizations, and denials that there is a problem.”
The woman Glenice Townsend, 69, was left fighting for her life at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque.
“Here is another example of the failures within the New Mexico criminal justice system,” Hebbe said.
He added he is certain there will be “no reaction from the court system, no investigation to find out what went wrong, no new legislation to ensure victims and the public are protected, and no accountability for the repeated failures that lead to innocent New Mexicans being assaulted or killed.”
Deputy District Attorney Brian Decker said because Schwerin’s prior cases were “drug-related,” he was deemed “not dangerous.”
If the DA and the judge thought he was dangerous, he would have been sent to the state hospital in Las Vegas, until he was restored to competency, Decker said, adding that non-dangerous individuals can be placed in a “community-based restoration program,” that provides local treatment to restore an individual to competency.
However, Decker pointed out one does not exist in San Juan County, which resulted in the dismissal of all charges.
“Competency is a huge issue when serious charges are simply dismissed as a result,” Hebbe said.
A review of court records show that Schwerin did have an arrest of a violent nature in 2020, when he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon – a charge to which he pleaded guilty.
In that case he pulled a knife on a man and told him he would “jack you up,” court records show.
Decker said that did not meet the level of danger to be committed to the state hospital.
Schwerin also was charged with battery in 2018 for reportedly hitting a woman with his hand, while he was driving. The charge, however, was dismissed when he pleaded guilty to DWI.
The new aggravated battery with a deadly weapon charge is for the alleged brutal stabbing of Townsend in the head, neck and chest, according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
She was flown to the University of New Mexico hospital and was being treated for a collapsed airway because of a neck laceration. She reportedly told police that “Joshua” stabbed her, and that is Schwerin’s middle name, the affidavit states.
“There is so much talk of accountability and transparency for police. That never seems to hold for the court system and legislators that fail to protect citizens,” Hebbe said. “This unfortunate victim, as so many victims across San Juan County and New Mexico, simply doesn’t have a voice.”
The incident happened in Townsend’s room at the Journey Inn, where police found Schwerin with, “a large amount of blood on him without any injuries to his person,” the affidavit states.
There were possible blood stains on the “bed, walls, floor and door,” the affidavit states.
Police said they found a “black folding knife lying on the ground,” with a “large amount of red stains on the blade,” according to the affidavit.
Schwerin when initially questioned by Farmington police for the brutal stabbing, told them “he was incompetent,” and then stated that he “had mental health issues,” according to the affidavit, which also states that when he was asked about his mental health issues and whether he was taking his medication, he refused to answer.
The Tri-City Record has made an Inspection of Public Records Act request for video recordings of Schwerin’s police interview.
After this brutal attack, the DA’s office filed a motion for pretrial detention, stating that given Schwerin’s criminal record and “aggressive conduct,” the DA’s office believes “there are no viable conditions of release to reasonably insure the safety of any person or the community” should he be released.
Other prior charges to which Schwerin pleaded guilty are possession of methamphetamine, aggravated fleeing and DWI, tampering with evidence and DWI, according to court records.
A detention hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 14 in Judge Wayne’s courtroom.
