Senator Schmitt Mutilation Hearing: Public Hearing in Albuquerque, 200 Attendees
New Mexico Senator Harrison Schmitt (former astronaut, twelfth man on the Moon) and U.S. Attorney R.E. Thompson convened a public hearing on cattle mutilations in Albuquerque. About 200 people attended. Thompson urged law enforcement not to bring out evidential material, effectively muzzling witnesses like Gabriel Valdez. On April 25, the State of New Mexico hired retired FBI agent Kenneth Rommel to investigate, whose conclusion of 'predators' was predetermined according to journalist Linda Moulton Howe.
Background
1. New Mexico Senator Harrison Schmitt and U.S. Attorney R.E. Thompson held a public hearing in Albuquerque concerning cattle mutilations. Approximately 200 individuals were in attendance. The hearing is notable for the actions taken by Thompson regarding the presentation of evidence.
The Incident
The public hearing was convened in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on April 20, 1979. Senator Harrison Schmitt, a former astronaut, and U.S. Attorney R.E. Thompson presided over the proceedings. The subject of the hearing was cattle mutilations, a phenomenon that had garnered significant attention.
Approximately 200 people attended the hearing. The specific details of the testimonies and evidence presented, beyond Thompson's actions, are not detailed in Dolan's account.
Investigation
U.S. Attorney R.E. Thompson urged law enforcement officials present not to bring out evidential material. This action effectively limited the scope of the hearing. The reason for Thompson's request is not explicitly stated in Dolan's account.
Significance
The hearing is significant because it involved a sitting U.S. Senator, Harrison Schmitt, addressing the issue of cattle mutilations. The actions of U.S. Attorney Thompson in discouraging the presentation of evidence raise questions about the transparency and thoroughness of the inquiry. The event occurred during a period when, according to Richard Dolan, "it looked like the secrecy dam might be about to crack," suggesting a broader context of increased scrutiny of government secrecy. The hearing may be relevant to the UFO context due to the frequent, though controversial, association of UFOs with cattle mutilations.