Posted at: 05/24/2009 7:56 PM
Updated at: 05/24/2009 11:19 PM
By: Chris Ornelas, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

Details released on murder suspect's surrender

Marino Leyba, Jr's booking photo

Santa Fe Police said Sunday that the suspect in a triple homicide may have turned himself in after they pressured his family.

22-year-old Marino Leyba, Jr. walked into the lobby of the Los Alamos police station around 9 p.m. Saturday, accompanied by his lawyer. A warrant was issued Saturday morning for his arrest in connection with the murder of his 17-year-old pregnant girlfriend, Sarah Lovato, and her 50-year-old father, Benny Sr.

The deputy chief of Santa Fe's police department told Eyewitness News 4 they questioned several people about the murders and were told that Leyba might be hiding out at a relative's house in Alcalde, north of Espanola.

Police searched that home, but did not find the suspect. Cops think the pressure they put on his family may have convinced him to surrender.

They still are not sure whether Leyba is the father of the unborn baby who also died in the attack.

On Sunday, Leyba refused to answer questions without his attorney present.

Suspect in pregnant teen, her father's murder turns self in