Navajo Man Pleads Guilty in Fruitland Murder Case

ALBUQUERQUE – In a chilling twist of justice, Maynard Shirley, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Kirtland, N.M., has pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a shocking murder and assault that unfolded in Fruitland, N.M., on March 21, 2015.

According to court filings, Shirley’s involvement was far more sinister than mere complicity. He is charged alongside his brothers, Elijah Shirley, 31, and Michael Shirley, 32, for their alleged participation in the grim crime. The trio is accused of not only murdering a Navajo man but also assaulting the victim’s father.

Shirley’s plea came during today’s proceedings, where he admitted to aiding his brother, Elijah, after the alleged manslaughter. From March 21, 2015, through March 23, 2015, Shirley facilitated Elijah’s escape by transporting him and securing housing for him, even going as far as burning Elijah’s vehicle to cover their tracks.

Michael Shirley has already taken his plea on September 21, 2016, facing similar charges. He is set to serve a sentence of 63 months in prison followed by supervised release. Elijah Shirley entered a guilty plea for voluntary manslaughter on the same day as Michael, and his sentence will be equally severe, with 121 months in prison.

As of now, all three Shirley brothers remain in custody, awaiting sentencing hearings that have yet to be scheduled. The investigation into this case was a collaborative effort by the Farmington office of the FBI and the Shiprock and Kayenta offices of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niki Tapia-Brito and Nicholas Marshall leading the prosecution.

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