Suspect convicted after plea bargain in killing of Santa Fe firefighter

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The fate of a woman who stabbed a firefighter has been determined.

Chrystyne Sanchez faced a judge on Monday after pleading not guilty to charges related to the stabbing, which she said was self-defense.

Christian Reid was a wildfire fighter in Santa Fe and a member of the Jemez Pueblo. He lost his life in an apartment in northeast Albuquerque on February 4, 2019.

Reid was killed by his girlfriend Sanchez, also known as Amber. She told police that Reid threatened her with a knife, so she stabbed him.

She was arrested in 2022 after a robbery at a Home Depot in Santa Fe.

After her arrest, she was charged with Reid's death. In October 2023, she pleaded no contest to the manslaughter charge.

Her first sentencing hearing was held in May. While prosecutors pushed for an eight-year sentence, Judge Lucy Solimon sentenced her to two years in prison, followed by probation.

While on probation, she was required to complete a mental health court hearing. But in July, the court denied Sanchez's request, leading to a second sentencing hearing on Monday.

Judge Solimon modified the sentence so that Sanchez must now complete the drug court process.

“This is actually more intense than probation for psychiatric patients,” Solimon said.

Members of Reid's family addressed the court on Monday, saying Sanchez portrayed Reid as an abuser. The family claimed that Sanchez had a true history of domestic violence.

“Christian came home to Jemez one time limping on one side of his leg. I asked him what was wrong and he told me, 'Amber hit me with her car,'” Reid's aunt said.

However, the judge made it clear that there would be no change in the verdict.

“I will not reverse my decision,” Solimon said.

Sanchez is scheduled to be released from prison on January 6. She will then have to undergo drug court proceedings.

If she fails to comply with the conditions of her release or complete the drug court process, she faces additional prison time.

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