Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder: Woman Died of Head Injuries After Being Repeatedly Pushed During Argument
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico announced on October 23 that Ryan Flute, 46, of Shiprock, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of a woman. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the parties agreed to a sentence of 15 years in prison, subject to the court's approval.
According to court documents, on May 21, 2024, Flute and the victim were drinking alcohol at a residence in Shiprock, in San Juan County, New Mexico, when an argument turned violent. During the argument, Flute repeatedly pushed the victim, causing her to fall backward and strike her head on a piece of furniture. Flute helped the victim to her feet, and they went to bed.
The following morning, Flute found the victim unresponsive and called for emergency medical assistance. The victim was transported to the hospital; she never regained consciousness and died on May 27, 2024. An autopsy determined she died from blunt-force injuries, primarily to her head. She also sustained injuries to her neck, torso, and extremities.
Upon release from prison, Flute will be subject to a period of supervised release of up to five years. There is no parole in the federal system.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department, the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations, and the Farmington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 新墨西哥州圣胡安县 Shiprock 社区附近的 Shiprock 岩层，案发地即位于该社区（资料图）。图片来源：Christian David / Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 4.0
