A New Mexico woman and mother, 45-year-old Kristina Withrow, was convicted in connection with the 2023 shooting of Monique Garcia. Back in April 2023, Withrow handed her son, Kristian Crespin, a handgun, which was then used to kill Garcia following a confrontation between the two women.
Videos by Wide Open Country
According to an Albuquerque Police Department news release, the incident took place on April 3, 2023. Reportedly, Withrow confronted Garcia, whom she presumed was homeless, and asked her to leave her apartment's walkway. Garcia reportedly refused, which triggered a verbal argument between the two women. At one point, Garcia began walking toward Withrow, further escalating the confrontation.
At that time, Withrow retrieved her handgun and gave it to Crespin, her then-18-year-old son. Withrow told Crespin to shoot the woman, and, as per the news release, he fired three shots, striking Garcia. Withrow told police at the time that she didn't know whether Garcia was armed or not.
Initially, Withrow told police that she had shot the apparent homeless woman. However, she later admitted to handing over the gun to her son. Reportedly, several witnesses in the area also saw Crespin firing the gun, which further prompted Withrow's admission.
Charged And Convicted
Monique Garcia, 36, was rushed to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries the very same day. Kristian Crespin was charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and tampering with evidence. Kristina Withrow was charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence.
In September 2024, a jury sentenced Kristian Crespin to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, as per PEOPLE.
Months later, on April 24, 2025, more than two years after the incident, Kristina Withrow was convicted by a Bernalillo County jury. As per PEOPLE, while the jurors had the option of convicting Withrow of first-degree murder, they ended up convicting her of second-degree murder. She was also convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm enhancement and tampering with evidence. The jury only deliberated for about three hours following a four-day trial.
Withrow's sentencing hearing has not been scheduled at the moment.
