Landlord Charged in Tenant's Death

An open count of murder is the accusation on the complaint. It does not fix a degree, and it is not a conviction. The tampering and burglary counts are accusations too. Debeary is dead. The gunshot finding and the burial are what the state still has to prove.

Albuquerque police on Wednesday charged Jonah Jeter, 33, with an open count of murder in the death of Robert Debeary, 52. He is also charged with three counts of tampering with evidence and aggravated burglary. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center. He does not yet have an attorney.

Police said Debeary was shot on Aug. 12 at 233 Alcazar Street NE, a rental near Central and Louisiana, and buried in the yard. His family reported him missing after last hearing from him on Aug. 11. On Oct. 27, detectives found remains about two feet underground. The medical investigator identified Debeary and found a gunshot wound to the head.

Jeter had been in jail since Oct. 21 on a firearm charge after police found guns in his vehicle. The homicide counts were filed after the remains were identified.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.