ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The car thief who tried to run over two firefighters in a stolen truck took a deal Friday that gave her a six month sentence.
Jennifer Christensen and two men tried to steal a firefighter’s personal truck back in December at Station 9 near Menaul and Eubank. They got away, but when Christensen went back to retrieve another stolen truck they ditched at the scene, she hit one firefighter with the truck and then rammed into the chief’s vehicle.
Friday, Christensen pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The deal given by the D.A.’s Office allows her to serve the six month sentence at the same time she serves her sentence for another case. They also waived the violent offender status, which would have given her more time.
Christensen has past convictions for aggravated burglary, burglary, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and felony escape. She is also awaiting trial on a charge of aggravated fleeing of law enforcement, which happened while out on bond from this case.
DA Raul Torrez has been very vocal about cracking down on repeat offenders, so KRQE News 13 reached out to his office to find out why Christensen was given this deal. A spokesperson later sent us this statement:
The District Attorney’s Office made this offer after problems arose in arranging pre-trial witness interviews in the time allowed under the CMO. Rather than risk dismissal of the case or suppression of key evidence, prosecutors made this difficult choice. We believe that with additional resources to contact victims and more flexibility in the CMO, these types of offers won’t be necessary and more time can be dedicated to taking more of these cases to trial.
