Farmington Man Pleads Not Guilty to Bludgeoning His Mother

Brian Stover, 61, of Farmington pleaded not guilty Monday in the 11th Judicial District Court to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony, after prosecutors say he bludgeoned his mother, Celia Stover, inside the home they share in the 1400 block of York Avenue.

Celia Stover suffered "a fracture to her skull" in the Feb. 23 attack, according to an affidavit for an arrest warrant, and was flown to Albuquerque for treatment.

Stover's attorney, Evan Ferguson, was not present at the March 24 arraignment. Defense attorney Lily Clark appeared in his place and told the judge that Ferguson is "working on discovery and requesting pretrial interviews." Stover, through Clark, waived a reading of the charges before entering the not guilty plea.

He remained in the San Juan County Detention Center on a pretrial detention hold. Court filings underlying that hold noted that Stover carries a pending criminal case for aggravated battery against a household member, along with prior convictions for child abuse and possession of a controlled substance.

The prior child abuse conviction drew particular attention in court documents. According to a motion, that offense was "intentional" and "violent in nature," and resulted in Stover breaking "the leg of a minor."

District Judge Curtis Gurley scheduled a virtual status hearing for 9 a.m. on May 26.