By Chandra Johnson, Taos News
Friday, June 13, 2008 10:52 AM MDT
A Taos Grand Jury handed down murder charges yesterday (June 12) in the case of a Questa woman accused of killing her husband.
Natalie Lacome, 29, (also known as Natalie Rael) faces one charge of first-degree murder for the 2007 stabbing death of her then-husband, Dennis Rael. At the time, Rael was the Finance Director for the Village of Angel Fire.
Rael died in March of 2007 due to a stab wound to his neck following a fight with Lacome, who had called Questa police saying that she and Rael had stabbed each other. While Lacome also sustained stab wounds, one doctor who examined Lacome told police he believed the wounds were self-inflicted.
The case was later transferred to the First Judicial District for prosecution after Eighth Judicial District Attorney Donald Gallegos excused his office from prosecution for personal reasons.
First Judicial District Attorney Henry Valdez’s office has requested a bond for Lacome for $250,000 cash or property. A bench warrant for Lacome’s arrest had not been signed as of Friday morning.