Man charged in cellmate’s death at Albuquerque jail

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A man was charged with homicide in the Monday night death of his Metropolitan Detention Center cellmate.

Telea Lui, 25, was rebooked on an open count of murdering Leon Casiquito, 41.

According to the criminal complaint, Casiquito on Sunday hit Lui on the legs "in a nagging manner." The next day, Casiquito returned from free time and motioned to hit Lui again, when Lui punched Casiquito in the head. Lui then repeatedly beat Casiquito up until staff arrived and removed Lui from the cell.

Casiquito was pronounced dead at the jail by medical staff. According to detectives, Lui admitted to beating him.

Casiquito had been in MDC for 10 months on armed robbery charges. Lui was in custody for aggravated battery on a household member with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment.