Cases rest in Nathan Rivas Young Park shooting trial; charges revised to ‘depraved mind’
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — With both sides now resting their cases, jurors in the Nathan Rivas Young Park shooting trial have heard tense testimony from a key Las Cruces police detective, along with arguments over a witness’s statements and changes to the charges Rivas faces.
Nathan Rivas initially faced three first-degree murder charges that included “wilful and deliberate actions.”
Those charges have changed to first-degree murder with a “depraved mind,” a shift that resulted in a conspiracy charge being dropped in accordance with New Mexico law.
The shooting happened during an unsanctioned car meet at Young Park in Las Cruces on March 21, 2025, where three teens died.
During cross-examination, Las Cruces Police Department Detective Andrew Contreras was questioned by defense attorneys about what evidence was sent to forensic labs and why some evidence that was sent for testing was not further investigated. Contreras responded that not all evidence sent could be linked to the night of the shooting, and he detailed which casings were linked to Nathan Rivas.
In court, Contreras was asked, “These c sings belong to what kind of. Bullet?” He responded, “45 caliber.” He was also asked, “What type of bullet killed Jason Gomez?” and answered, “It was a 45 caliber.”
After the state rested its case, defense attorneys questioned the same expert who testified in Tomas Rivas’ trial.
The expert went over shell casings found at the scene and in the surrounding park area. Defense attorneys also questioned law enforcement’s investigation, and the defense expert testified about the casings that were collected and who they are believed to be associated with.
A significant portion of court time was also spent on a dispute over testimony from a shooting witness.
Defense attorneys argued that Adrian Yeverino gave inconsistent testimony compared with the Tomas Rivas trial, claiming Yeverino testified in this trial that he saw Nathan Rivas shoot but did not say the same in the previous trial.
After arguments from both the prosecution and defense, the judge ruled that Yeverino’s testimony will stand based on the evidence and testimony.
Nathan’s brother, Tomas Rivas, was found guilty of murder in connection with the same shooting last week.
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