A man who killed his grandmother and nephew 19 years ago in Alamogordo with an ax has been released by the Department of Corrections and transferred into the custody of the New Mexico State Health Department.

Albert Lueras has completed both his criminal sentence and his parole with the state, but a mental evaluation will determine whether he is free to join the public.

He had been diagnosed with having paranoid schizophrenia.

Attorney Scott Key of the 12th Judicial District said if Lueras committed those same crimes today, he would be incarcerated for life.