Gov. Martinez appoints two new judges

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Doña Ana County welcomed two new judges Friday through appointments announced by Gov. Susana Martinez.

Former Assistant District Attorney Nelson Goodin becomes a district judge for the Third Judicial District, and attorney Beverly Singleman will serve as a magistrate judge, according to an announcement from the governor's office.

Goodin fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Michael Murphy who faces bribery charges related to contributions to the campaign of former Gov. Bill Richardson.  Murphy has denied the allegations.

Singleman spent more than 20 years with a Las Cruces law firm and served as a judge on the New Mexico Court of Appeals.

She is also a central figure in the bribery case against Murphy.  Singleman reported Murphy encouraged her to make payments to an intermediary for the Richardson campaign to secure an appointment to the District Court bench.

Singleman takes over the court of Magistrate Judge Olivia Nevarez Garcia who retired.

Before becoming governor, Martinez was District Attorney for the Third Judicial District.  However, her office handed off investigation of the Murphy case to another district attorney to avoid potential conflicts of interest.