ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Just days before Christmas, Albuquerque police say 59-year-old Lance Beaton was responsible for the 2014 death of Danette Webb.

Back in 2014, Webb was found dead in her home, naked and tied up with duct tape. 

APD says the two worked together at the Rock Noon Day Shelter, and they suspected he was stalking her.

In December 2023, the FBI and APD talked with Beaton while following up on an investigative lead that pointed his way. 

APD and the FBI got a warrant for a sample of his DNA, which they say matched DNA at the crime scene.

But in court Wednesday, Beaton’s lawyer said he isn’t convinced the evidence is rock solid because he hasn’t seen it yet.

“I think that document is going to allow us to figure out whether we have a conflict check or issue in this case because there are a lot of names, and there is a lot of DNA, and we don’t know what the circumstances are with these names. And we gotta figure out who represented them and if that forms a conflict,” said F. Michael Von Hoffman, defense attorney.

His lawyer went on to ask the court for a continuance or to delay the detention hearing, and Beaton waved his right to the time limits.

The court rescheduled the hearing to January 11 to give the defense more time to review the evidence. Then, on Jan. 11, they postponed the hearing again by a week and a half.

In the meantime, Beaton will be held in jail. 

MORE:

• Breakthrough in cold case: APD arrests suspect in 2014 murder
• Man arrested for 2014 murder of Albuquerque woman
• Murder suspect in 2014 cold case appears in court