Taos Prosecutor Cosme Ripol Permanently Disbarred by New Mexico Supreme Court

The New Mexico Supreme Court acted quickly on Monday to remove a local prosecutor from the bar. The court issued a unanimous order permanently disbarbing Cosme Ripol, the former lead prosecutor for the 8th Judicial District in Taos.

The decision took effect immediately. It follows a disciplinary review of Ripol’s conduct in three separate criminal trials held between 2022 and 2024. Disciplinary authorities alleged that Ripol engaged in prosecutorial misconduct across all three cases.

In the case of State v. Desiree Lensegrav, a murder trial, allegations included the introduction of inadmissible evidence. Records show Ripol repeatedly referred to the defendant as a “bruja,” the Spanish word for witch. The Lensegrav murder conviction was later vacated by the court.

Reviewers also examined State v. Daniel Chavez. In that murder case, Ripol allegedly called the defendant a “killer,” a “macho man,” and a “prowling mad dog.” A third review covered State v. Cruz Castillo, where Ripol was accused of referencing evidence that a Taos District Court judge had already excluded. That error led to a mistrial.

A hearing committee for the New Mexico Supreme Court Disciplinary Board found violations in July and recommended disbarment. The court heard oral arguments on Oct. 13. Joseph Gonzales, the disciplinary counselor, argued in favor of the permanent removal.

All five justices adopted the findings. Ripol can no longer practice law in New Mexico. Marcus Montoya, the 8th Judicial District Attorney, called the outcome an “unfortunate end” to Ripol’s career. Montoya noted that prosecutors face a higher standard to seek justice, a standard he said was not met despite Ripol’s thirty years of criminal law experience.

Montoya thanked Ripol for his decades of service as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor. The ruling closes a lengthy disciplinary process that began with complaints regarding courtroom tactics. The decision stands as a final administrative action on the matter.