Raymond Tan, 43, a northern New Mexico man with seven prior DWI convictions pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for a May 1999 crash that killed a Massachusetts motorcyclist and seriously injured his son. Tan entered the plea Sept. 24, on the eve of his trial in federal court in Albuquerque. The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals determined Tan’s prior DWI convictions are relevant to his case ? three convictions in a tribal court and four in state court in San Juan County since 1985. Tan was charged with second-degree murder in the death of William F. Sliney and with assault resulting in serious bodily injury to Sliney’s son. The Slineys were riding motorcycles on U.S. 666 south of Shiprock when the pickup truck Tan was driving crossed into their path. As part of the plea deal, the assault charge is to be dropped, Tan’s attorney, Ray Twohig said. Court records show Tan admitted drinking a bottle of wine as he drove. His blood-alcohol level was 0.29 percent, more than three times the state’s presumed level of intoxication. Twohig said the government agreed to a sentence of 84 months, with credit for 10 months Tan has already served. Tan is to be sentenced within 75 days.
