The family of a New Mexico firefighter, fatally stabbed by his girlfriend, is fighting to reclaim his reputation, insisting that he was not the abuser she accused him of being, but rather her victim.
Christian Reid, a firefighter in Santa Fe and Jemez Pueblo member, was killed by Chrystne Sanchez on February 4, 2019.
Sanchez, who also goes by Amber, appeared before a judge on Monday after pleading no contest to the charges related to the stabbing, which she continues to claim was in self-defense.
She was only arrested following a robbery at a Santa Fe Home Depot in 2022 and charged then with Reid's death, according to KOB4.
The defendant previously told police that Reid threatened her with a knife and had no choice but to stab him.
In October 2023, Sanchez pleaded no contest to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.
Her first sentencing hearing was held in May.
The prosecutors in the case were pushing for an eight-year sentence; however, Judge Lucy Solimon sentenced her to two years in jail with probation.
Sanchez was also required to complete mental health court during her probationary period, but in July, the health court rejected Sanchez, prompting a second sentencing hearing on Monday.
Judge Solimon adjusted Sanchez's sentence to require that she complete drug court instead.
Reid's family members also addressed the court on Monday, explaining to the judge that Sanchez was portraying Reid as an abuser when it was she who had a real history of domestic abuse.
"Christian had come home to Jemez one time limping on one side of his leg. I asked him what's wrong, and he told me, 'Amber hit me with her car,'" said Reid's aunt.
Despite the family's testimonies, the judge stood her ground and declared, "I'm not going back on my decision."
Sanchez is scheduled to be released from jail on January 6 but will then be ordered to complete drug court.
If she does not uphold the conditions of her release, she could face additional jail time.
