UNM Students Sentenced to Probation for Attack on Former NMSU Basketball Player

Two University of New Mexico (UNM) students involved in the assault on former New Mexico State University (NMSU) basketball player Mike Peake have been sentenced to probation following sentencing hearings in Albuquerque.

As per to the source Yahoo Jonathan Smith and Eli-Sha Upshaw appeared separately in courtrooms for their sentencing. Upshaw received a sentence of 4 1/2 years of supervised probation from 2nd Judicial District Judge Britt Baca-Miller, despite the state’s request for three years of jail time.

Smith, on the other hand, was sentenced to three years of supervised probation by 2nd Judicial District Judge Courtney Weaks. Smith had cooperated with the investigation and had previously taken a plea deal, pleading guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit aggravated battery with great bodily harm and tampering with evidence.

The incident, which occurred in November 2022 on UNM’s campus, involved an altercation with Peake that escalated into a shooting, resulting in injuries to Peake and the death of 19-year-old UNM student Brandon Travis.

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The altercation was reportedly motivated by revenge stemming from a previous altercation between Peake and UNM students during a football game between UNM and NMSU.

Surveillance footage showed Upshaw striking Peake with a baseball bat before the shooting occurred. The investigation concluded that Peake acted in self-defense, and no charges were filed against him or anyone affiliated with NMSU.

The sentencing marks the conclusion of a legal process that has garnered significant attention due to its impact on both universities and the broader community.

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