By Shea Andersen
Tribune Reporter
New Mexico Republican Party leaders declined to say whether Rep. Rory Ogle should leave office after being arrested on domestic violence charges.
But one party official said he wouldn't be surprised to see Ogle resign.
Ogle, an Albuquerque Republican, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery on a household member and domestic violence earlier this month. He is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 10.
Ogle's wife, Anita, called police from a Raley's supermarket near Juan Tabo and Menaul boulevards Northeast on July 16 to report a fight with her husband, court records state. After her husband's arrest, she filed for an order of protection, a long-term hold prohibiting her husband from contact with her.
Ogle on Tuesday said he regretted the incident and would take responsibility for his side of the argument.
New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Allen Weh declined to comment on the matter.
"There's a certain dignity to the process that needs to be respected," Weh said.
The party's official statement said only: "We are deeply saddened by Rep. Ogle's personal situation, and understand he and his family are having a difficult time. We support Rory as he works through this personal crisis and know he will proceed in the best interests of his family and his constituents."
But House Minority Leader Ted Hobbs, an Albuquerque Republican, said he would not be surprised to see Ogle leave office.
"I'm not going to ask him to leave his seat," said Hobbs, who had not spoken with Ogle as of Tuesday evening. "But it wouldn't surprise me if he did on his own."
If that happened, Hobbs said, it would be a loss to the party's representation in the Roundhouse.
"He's been an excellent representative," Hobbs said. "He's a hard worker."
But news of Ogle's arrest hit hard, Hobbs said.
"I'm shocked by this event," Hobbs said. "It doesn't seem like that's the Rory I know."
Ogle's wife, Anita, relayed the following allegations about the evening to officers, according to a Metro Court criminal complaint:
The couple began arguing in their home at 2500 Algodones St. N.E. when Rory Ogle grabbed Anita Ogle's upper right arm, leaving a small bruise.
The argument escalated, and Rory Ogle picked up a twin bed headboard and threw it at his wife, hitting and possibly breaking her right hand, Anita Ogle said; he also threw a mop at her, which hit her but did not cause an injury, she said.
Three children ages 9, 8, and 4 were present during the fight, according to the criminal complaint.
The police officers interviewing the woman then went to the Ogle home to detain her husband, the complaint said. Ogle came to the front door after officers made numerous attempts to contact him, and he was arrested.
The officers noticed Ogle appeared to be extremely intoxicated, noting his speech was slurred, his eyes were watery and bloodshot, and he smelled like alcohol, the complaint said.
Anita Ogle called the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence on Monday seeking advice on protecting the children during any court proceedings or publicity, Agnes Maldonado, the group's director, said.
"I will be taking full responsibility for my side of the argument," Rory Ogle said Tuesday. "I love and care very deeply for my wife and son. My son really is the focus of my life right now, and I hope to be able to work through these troubled times with my wife and be reunited."
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