A woman named Kendra Panteah pleaded guilty to kidnapping a man named John Doe in New Mexico, who was later fatally stabbed and locked in a trunk by another man named Gilbert John Jr. after trying to escape. The incident occurred in July 2019, with both Panteah and John admitting to using drugs like methamphetamine before the killing took place. Panteah stated that after an altercation in the victim’s car, John put him in the trunk, and they drove to a remote location where he was stabbed with a machete. Panteah did not participate in the stabbing but asked for help from John, and the two sat on the car trunk until the victim stopped moving.
John was sentenced to 21 years in prison for second-degree murder, and Panteah faces at least 10 years and up to a maximum of 18 years in prison for her involvement. Panteah’s attorney attributes the tragic events to substance and alcohol abuse problems within Native American communities, indicating that the incident may not have occurred if everyone involved had been sober. Panteah is Zuni, and John is Navajo, as stated in their plea agreements.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of drug and alcohol abuse and the lasting impact it can have on individuals and communities. Panteah’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 27, and she faces a significant amount of time in prison for her role in the kidnapping and murder of John Doe.
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