Serving life behind bars, a convicted murder had three years added to his sentence last week after he pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a failed jailbreak.
A public defense attorney had planned to argue a suppression motion during criminal proceedings on Friday, June 12, but instead, Aric Miera, 40, of Mancos, pleaded guilty to attempted escape.
On Nov. 29, prosecutors said Miera attempted to pry open a window at the Montezuma County jail using a bar that was removed from a bed. As a result of the plea agreement, the court added three years consecutive to Miera’s life without parole sentence.
“This was dangerous conduct,” said District Court Judge Todd Plewe.
Last month, another court upheld Miera’s first-degree murder conviction in the 2005 shooting death of Cortez attorney Richard Luhman. Representing Miera’s wife during divorce proceedings, Luhman was shot four times in the chest.
With a history of domestic violence, Miera reportedly rushed into his ex-wife’s lawyer’s office on West First Street, forced his way past a secretary and then murdered the 62-year-old attorney with a .32-caliber pistol on March 4, 2005. Miera fled and led police on a two-hour manhunt before being arrested on County Road L.
Earlier this month, prosecutors opted not to proceed with escape charges against a co-defendant in the attempted jailbreak. The 22-year-old man could be subject to prosecution if he fails to remain sober while under private supervision, prosecutors said.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com