SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A lawsuit involving a well-known Native American artist who was cleaning up dog poop in his car but was mistaken for a burglar by Santa Fe police remains in court.
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The Albuquerque Journal reports Mateo Romero’s case now is before the New Mexico Court of Appeals over public records and police immunity from liability.
Romero filed a lawsuit alleging the violation of his constitutional rights in 2014 that he says began when his Shih Tzu defecated in his car. Romero told The Associated Press a Santa Fe officer pointed a rifle at him during the bizarre misunderstanding.
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Last year, a judge ruled an officer’s belt recorder showed the officer acted properly.
However, officials had told Romero’s lawyer no belt recording existed.
Mateo is an award-winning painter whose work has been exhibited in Canada and the United States.
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