A New Mexico mother has been found guilty of second-degree murder after she handed her son a firearm and ordered him to shoot a homeless woman during a confrontation last year.
Kristina Withrow, 46, was convicted Thursday by a jury on charges of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, aggravated assault with a firearm enhancement, and tampering with evidence, according to Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
The case stems from the April 2023 death of 36-year-old Monique Garcia, who was shot multiple times by Withrow’s 20-year-old son, Kristian Crespin, and died a day later from her injuries.
A Deadly Encounter
According to authorities, the incident began when Withrow saw Garcia near the walkway of her Albuquerque apartment building. Assuming Garcia was homeless, Withrow demanded she leave the property. A heated verbal altercation followed, escalating rapidly when Withrow retrieved a handgun.
Rather than confronting Garcia herself, Withrow handed the gun to Crespin and allegedly instructed him to fire. Crespin pulled the trigger three times, hitting Garcia before fleeing the scene.
Garcia was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Conflicting Accounts and Breakthroughs
Initially, Withrow told investigators that she had fired the weapon herself. However, eyewitnesses contradicted her account, telling police they saw a male shooter.
Eventually, Crespin confessed to pulling the trigger. He was charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and tampering with evidence. In April 2024, Crespin pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Justice for Monique Garcia
While Withrow was initially charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, she was ultimately convicted on the lesser charge of second-degree murder after her trial.
Her sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
The tragic case has drawn attention to the dangerous consequences of vigilante behavior and escalating violence in everyday disputes — with devastating results for everyone involved.