By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
A District Court Jury deliberated and took just under three hours to find Crystal Vigil (37) guilty of first degree murder in the death of Zacariah Holderby after an argument between the two resulted in a shooting incident back in December of 2016.
After a 911 call to Raton Police Dispatch, officers were sent to a home on South Second Street in Raton where they found Holderby had been shot in the forehead. Raton Fire and Emergency Services transported Holderby to MCMC, he was later transported to UNM Hospital where he passed away on Wednesday December 15, 2016. At the time of the incident it was noted by police that Vigil was a longtime girlfriend of Holderby.
Vigil had been charged with first degree murder, Tampering with evidence and a felon in possession of a firearm. The jury found Vigil not guilty of tampering with evidence and returned guilty verdict on first degree murder the charge of felon in possession of a firearm was dropped from the charges.
Chief Judge Jeff McElroy presided over the case and has requested a presentence report within 30 days. Sentencing will be handed down once the court receives the PSR. Vigil will remain in the Colfax County Detention Center until sentencing.
Vigil was scheduled to be back in court on January 29, 2018 for a jury trial on drug charges she faces from her arrest in March of 2016 according to court records. The only item on the 8th District Court calendar was a plea conference for Vigil.
Update February 13, 2018
According to court documents Vigil pled guilty to the charge of trafficking (Possession with intent to distribute) and was sentenced to nine years in the state penitentiary. The other two charges of possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence were dismissed. The nine year sentence is to run concurrently with the sentence of her murder conviction sentence.
The nine year sentence however was suspended with conditions that she be placed on five years probation which will run concurrently with her murder charge probation. The conditions of probation include approval before she travels out of the county or state.
Update April 13, 2018
According to court documents Crystal Vigil was found guilty of first degree murder which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Judge Jeff McElroy sentenced Vigil to 31 years without parole in the New Mexico correctional system. One year was added to the 30 year sentence for a firearm enhancement.
