Cardana motions for settlement in murder case

It appears a 2023 Rio Rancho murder case is headed for a settlement.

Henry Cardana, 86, of Rio Rancho, was charged and indicted for the murder of Juneanne Fannell at a residence at the corner of Western Hills Drive and Utah Meadow Road on April 5, 2023.

Fannell was found with a gunshot wound to the head that Wednesday afternoon, but that was not the first call for emergency services to the residence that day. Both Adult Protective Services and Rio Rancho Police were called before the incident.

Cardana asked that Fannell be removed from the house because he was becoming frustrated and couldn’t take care of her. That same day, Cardana asked a neighbor to call police saying “Call the police. I killed her.”

On March 11, the 13th Judicial Court Heard a motion for settlement that was backed by both the prosecution and the defendant.

Cardana, through his attorney, requested settlement facilitation claiming a trial would be filled with more problems and be difficult for the elderly, disabled man. The settlement would essentially be a plea agreement.

“Counsel believes that both parties would benefit from settlement facilitation,” the motion states.

It also says that the defense thinks a settlement would save government resources.

The state (prosecution) responded to the motion saying it agrees with the motion but requests that the settlement follow procedure established by the New Mexico Supreme Court. The procedure states a judge overseeing the case can appoint a settlement judge to hear the case.