Artesia Man Found Guilty of Murder; Sentenced to 16 Years

An Artesia man was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison with four years suspended after being found guilty of second-degree murder in New Mexico, according to Artesia News.

Dallas Hnulik, 28, was convicted in the death of Brandy Capps, 32, of Artesia on July 15. He was arrested last year and charged with first-degree murder, according to the Washington Times.

The shooting happened July 31, 2010, Carlsbad, New Mexico while Capps was sitting in the passenger seat her car. She was killed when Hnulik fired a shot to her head from close range with a single-action revolver, authorities said.

Hnulik, who said he was in a relationship with Capps at the time, said the gun accidentally discharged.

Judge Lisa B. Riley called the case a “dangerous mixture” of methamphetamine use and domestic violence. She ordered Hnulik to complete drug treatment and domestic violence intervention, according to Artesia News.