Topline: Jurors convict Albuquerque woman who armed her son and told him to open fire on a woman she believed was trespassing.
Published: April 29, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Kristina Withrow (via Albuquerque Police)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A jury has convicted a New Mexico woman for her role in the 2023 shooting death of a homeless woman.
Kristina Withrow was convicted of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, aggravated assault with a firearm enhancement, and tampering with evidence, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced.
The verdict follows a case that began in April 2023 in Southeast Albuquerque, when a confrontation between Withrow and 36-year-old Monique Garcia escalated.
According to police, Withrow confronted Garcia, whom she believed to be homeless, and ordered her to leave the walkway near her apartment. A verbal argument broke out, during which Withrow retrieved a handgun and handed it to her 18-year-old son, Kristian Crespin, instructing him to shoot.
Crespin fired three shots, one of which struck Garcia. She was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
Initially, Withrow told investigators she had pulled the trigger herself, but witnesses at the scene told police that a young man was seen fleeing after the shots were fired. Withrow later admitted that she had handed the gun to her son and told him to shoot Garcia.
Detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department arrested Withrow on the evening of the shooting. Crespin was not immediately located but was later arrested. In 2024, he pled guilty to second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
At the time of her arrest, Withrow told officers she did not know whether Garcia was armed. Police noted there was no evidence Garcia posed a threat beyond the verbal dispute.
Withrow’s sentencing is scheduled to take place at a later date. She remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Mother Convicted of Murder After Ordering Son to Shoot Homeless Woman
Jurors convict Albuquerque woman who armed her son and told him to open fire on a woman she believed was trespassing.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 29, 2025 7:00 am ET
Kristina Withrow (via Albuquerque Police)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A jury has convicted a New Mexico woman for her role in the 2023 shooting death of a homeless woman.
Kristina Withrow was convicted of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, aggravated assault with a firearm enhancement, and tampering with evidence, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced.
The verdict follows a case that began in April 2023 in Southeast Albuquerque, when a confrontation between Withrow and 36-year-old Monique Garcia escalated.
According to police, Withrow confronted Garcia, whom she believed to be homeless, and ordered her to leave the walkway near her apartment. A verbal argument broke out, during which Withrow retrieved a handgun and handed it to her 18-year-old son, Kristian Crespin, instructing him to shoot.
Crespin fired three shots, one of which struck Garcia. She was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
Initially, Withrow told investigators she had pulled the trigger herself, but witnesses at the scene told police that a young man was seen fleeing after the shots were fired. Withrow later admitted that she had handed the gun to her son and told him to shoot Garcia.
Detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department arrested Withrow on the evening of the shooting. Crespin was not immediately located but was later arrested. In 2024, he pled guilty to second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
At the time of her arrest, Withrow told officers she did not know whether Garcia was armed. Police noted there was no evidence Garcia posed a threat beyond the verbal dispute.
Withrow’s sentencing is scheduled to take place at a later date. She remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mother Convicted of Murder After Ordering Son to Shoot Homeless Woman
Jurors convict Albuquerque woman who armed her son and told him to open fire on a woman she believed was trespassing.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 29, 2025 7:00 am ET
Kristina Withrow (via Albuquerque Police)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A jury has convicted a New Mexico woman for her role in the 2023 shooting death of a homeless woman.
Kristina Withrow was convicted of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, aggravated assault with a firearm enhancement, and tampering with evidence, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced.
The verdict follows a case that began in April 2023 in Southeast Albuquerque, when a confrontation between Withrow and 36-year-old Monique Garcia escalated.
According to police, Withrow confronted Garcia, whom she believed to be homeless, and ordered her to leave the walkway near her apartment. A verbal argument broke out, during which Withrow retrieved a handgun and handed it to her 18-year-old son, Kristian Crespin, instructing him to shoot.
Crespin fired three shots, one of which struck Garcia. She was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
Initially, Withrow told investigators she had pulled the trigger herself, but witnesses at the scene told police that a young man was seen fleeing after the shots were fired. Withrow later admitted that she had handed the gun to her son and told him to shoot Garcia.
Detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department arrested Withrow on the evening of the shooting. Crespin was not immediately located but was later arrested. In 2024, he pled guilty to second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
At the time of her arrest, Withrow told officers she did not know whether Garcia was armed. Police noted there was no evidence Garcia posed a threat beyond the verbal dispute.
Withrow’s sentencing is scheduled to take place at a later date. She remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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