Judge won't dismiss charges against Tennessee woman in minivan shooting

Friday, May 9, 2014

TAOS, N.M. - A New Mexico judge has refused to dismiss charges against a Tennessee woman who was involved in an October high-speed chase near Taos during which a State Police officer fired at her fleeing minivan carrying five children.

Nobody was injured by the officer's gunfire, which was videotaped and shown on the Internet. The officer was later fired.

District Court Judge John Paternoster on Thursday denied a request by Oriana Farrell's lawyer to dismiss charges against the Memphis woman on several grounds based on grand jury proceedings against her.

However, Paternoster said he would allow Farrell's lawyers to file an appeal on the legal issues before Farrell's trial. She is charged with aggravated fleeing from an officer and child abuse.