LAS CRUCES, N.M. —

Former Las Cruces police Officer Brad Lunsford, convicted of manslaughter earlier this year, has been granted a new trial due to juror substitutions and alleged bias.

Lunsford's attorney argued that juror substitutions and "anti-police bias" led to an unfair trial.

"If a juror conceals those opinions, even after being asked about them, did that create constitutional violations? Essentially, it [was an] unfair trial," said Matt Chandler, Lunsford's defense attorney.

The case began in August 2022 when Lunsford shot and killed Presley Eze , who was accused of stealing a beer at a gas station in Las Cruces. Video footage showed Eze on top of one of the officers, attempting to grab a taser before being shot in the head.

"We fought for this family. We fought for Presle

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