A Navajo man from Kirtland, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to second degree murder and assault charges. Patrick Benally, 26, entered his pleas in federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday.
The charges stem from the kidnapping and murder of a 28-year-old Navajo woman on October 23, 2013. Benally and his four co-defendants were indicted in January 2014 on charges including first degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to kidnap. The crimes occurred on the Navajo Indian Reservation within San Juan County, New Mexico.
Benally pleaded guilty to second degree murder for his role in the death of the victim. He admitted to aiding and abetting others in the death by preventing a witness from leaving the scene and providing aid to the victim. He also admitted to intimidating the witness at the scene.
In a separate case, Benally pleaded guilty to an assault with a dangerous weapon charge. The incident occurred on October 10, 2013, when Benally shot a different Navajo woman in the face during an argument at her home in Fruitland, New Mexico.
Benally’s co-defendants, Justin Benally, LaSheena Jacquez, Scott Thompson, and Mariah Benally, all entered guilty pleas to second degree murder charges in the kidnapping and murder case. They are currently in federal custody pending sentencing hearings.
Patrick Benally faces a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he will be sentenced to a federal prison term of 18 to 21 years followed by a period of supervised release to be determined by the court.
The cases were investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI, the Farmington Police Department, and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niki Tapia-Brito and David Adams are prosecuting both cases.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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