Orlando named to succeed Martinez as prosecutor

The appointment was one of the first made by Gov. Susana Martinez, who took the oath of office at midnight after resigning as district attorney.
"Amy is a tough and talented prosecutor," Martinez said in a prepared statement. "She's a fighter, and she is as passionate as I am about protecting New Mexico's children and families, and pursuing justice on behalf of victims.  As the next district attorney for the 3rd Judicial District, I am confident that Amy will continue our bold efforts to keep the communities of southern New Mexico safe."    
As a prosecutor, Orlando assisted Martinez in securing the maximum sentence for the murderers of Carly Martinez, a New Mexico State University student who was kidnapped, raped and killed in 1998. Orlando also prosecuted the Baby Brianna case - perhaps the most brutal child abuse case in state history - which resulted in the convictions of five family members who participated in the beating, rape and murder of the 6-month-old child or failed to report the abuse against her. The case inspired the passage of the Life Sentences for Deadly Child Abuse Bill or Baby Brianna Bill, which imposed a life sentence on those who perpetrated intentional child abuse resulting in death.  
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"I'm honored to have been appointed by Gov. Martinez to serve as the District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District," Orlando said. "Throughout my career as a prosecutor, I have worked with Gov. Martinez to put some of the most dangerous criminals behind bars - including child predators and murderers. Our charge has been to keep our communities safe, protect the most vulnerable among us and deliver justice for victims. This is a high calling, and I'm prepared to continue to deliver results for the people of southern New Mexico."  
Orlando has served as a chief deputy district attorney for Doña Ana County since 2006 and has specialized in violent felony offenses - including gang-related murders and child abuse - for 14 years. Originally from Albuquerque, Orlando graduated from New Mexico State University in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in social work. In 1992, she graduated from the Drake School of Law in Des Moines, Iowa. The next year, she began her work as a county prosecutor assigned to juvenile crime. As part of her duties, Orlando prosecuted violent gang-related cases as part of the office's gang task force. 
In 1996, under Martinez, Orlando was assigned prosecution of serious violent offenses, including those involving physical and sexual abuse of children.
As one of two chief deputy district attorneys, Orlando maintained a full caseload, supervised the work of assistant district attorneys and handled various personnel matters in the office, even as state budget cuts have resulted in hiring freezes and fewer people taking on more responsibility, said fellow Chief Deputy District Attorney Susan Riedel. 
Riedel acknowledged that while financial pressures would be a challenge, they wouldn't sway prosecutors from asking for heavy sentences for serious crimes. The office handles about 4,000 felony-level cases per year, she said.
"Everyone's carrying higher case loads, and while that isn't a huge issue, it just means employees are that much more dedicated to making sure that it all gets done," she said. "That takes some inspirational leadership, and I think (under Orlando) that will continue."
Riedel said Orlando's leadership would be "tough but fair," much like Martinez's.
"She's good with people and she's really one of the most natural trial attorneys I've ever seen," Riedel said Friday. "She's certainly demonstrated her leadership and administrative skills in the last years, which will make her a great district attorney."
Ashley Meeks can be reached at (575) 541-5462.