D.A. Gets Lerma to Admit Involvement in Deadly Plan on the Stand

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Krystal Nicole Lerma took the witness stand in her own defense Wednesday afternoon and under cross examination by District Attorney Allison Palmer admitted she knew and participated in Raymond Alvarado’s plan to rob Andrew Gonzales that ultimately led to his murder and the murder of Anthony Martinez.

As we reported earlier, the eight men and four women jury found Lerma guilty in less than an hour of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit robbery.  Attorneys agreed to have District Judge Ben Woodward decide Lerma’s sentence, so after the guilty verdict, the jury was released and both sides began presenting witnesses and evidence in the punishment phase of the trial.

District Attorney Allison Palmer began the afternoon calling eleven witnesses as Judge Woodward weighs punishment.  Palmer called six Tom Green County Jail Corrections Officers who testified they wrote Lerma up for disciplinary problems while she has been in custody.  Lerma was arrested on Sept. 20, 2016 and has been in the Tom Green County Jail ever since.

Palmer then called a number of police officers who have dealt with Lerma over the years.  San Angelo Police Officer Brian Gesch testified he was dispatched to a complaint of loud music at the Creekside Apartments in 2009.  Lerma answered the door and there was the strong odor of marijuana. She wasn’t arrested but two others were.

SAPD patrol officer Thomas Gibson testified that on Feb. 21, 2016 he responded to a domestic dispute and Lerma was the suspect.  She had assaulted her then boyfriend. She was not arrested.

SAPD officer Steven Quade told the court he investigated a hit and run crash.  Lerma was the driver and eventually called him and said she was having an altercation with her boyfriend and hit a sign or fence and left the scene.  

Then Palmer called Shannon Medical Center Chaplin J.T. Tucker to the witness stand.  Tucker testified that he counseled the family of Anthony Martinez who was shot to death by Raymond Alvarado on Sept. 12, 2016.  He told the Judge the family for the 646 days since the murder has been very, very grief stricken especially Antony’s mother.

Palmer’s final punishment phase witness was Kathlyn Gonzales, Andrew Gonzales’ sister.  She was emotional and cried on the witness stand as she described how Andrew’s children and mother miss him.  She said the murders have torn her family apart.

Palmer then rested the state’s case.  Defense Attorney Jimmy Stewart then called five witnesses on Lerma’s behalf.   

First on the stand was Doris Kennon who worked with Lerma.  She said she met Lerma when she was living in her car, had a one-year-old child and was seven months pregnant.  Kennon told the Judge she offered to let Lerma and her child live with her until she could get back on her feet.  Lerma lived with Kennon off and on for years. Kennon said Lerma was a good person and her children meant everything to her.  

Christy Alderete testified that she worked with Krystal Lerma at Performant and became friends outside work.  She said Lerma is not a violent person and not a danger to society.

Stewart then called Valerie Macias to the stand.  She also worked with Lerma at Performant. Macias said Lerma was a great employee and she would recommend Lerma be re-hired.  

Jennifer Falcon testified that Lerma was an excellent co-worker and had an unconditional love for her children.  

Julie Mares went to elementary school and high school with Lerma.  She said Lerma was an amazing mother. Under cross examination from Palmer, Mares admitted she also knew Raymond Alvarado and Andrew Gonzales.  

Then Stewart pulled off the shock of the day; he called Krystal Nicole Lerma to the stand in her own defense.  That meant that prosecutors would have the opportunity to question Lerma under oath about the whole affair; nothing was off limits for Palmer. 

Stewart questioned Lerma about her education and work history.  Then he asked her how she felt about the crime she was convicted of participating in.  In a loud and clear voice Lerma said, “I made a mistake and I’m sorry. I was wrong and I deserve to face the consequences of my actions.”  

With that, Jimmy Stewart passed his client and witness to be questioned by District Attorney Allison Palmer.  

Palmer was calm and deliberate.  And calculating. She started by questioning Lerma about the hit and run incident.  Lerma said she didn’t remember much about it. Palmer asked Lerma if she remembered her boyfriend, Ray Juarez, having her on the ground during a domestic disturbance and that once she was able to, she tried run over Juarez with her car.  Lerma said she didn’t remember that.

Palmer then asked her about a photo that was entered into evidence.  The photo shows Lerma and two of her sons at a Halloween party. Palmer said the photo shows the children dressed up as Cheech & Chong.  Lerma said yes, that was who they were dressed up as. Palmer asked Lerma if she knew who Cheech & Chong were. Lerma said yes. Palmer said, “You dressed your children up as two famous pot smokers?”  Lerma admitted that was her idea for a costume contest and they had other costumes they picked out to go trick-or-treating in. Palmer reiterated that the Cheech & Chong costumes were Lerma’s idea and she responded yes.  

Palmer then deftly turned to the night of the murders.  Palmer got Lerma to admit, “I knew there was a robbery plan and I participated in that.”  “I told Ray (Alvarado) I would call him when I got to Andrew’s house.”

Palmer continued questioning and Lerma admitted that Alvarado was jealous of Gonzales.  

With that, Palmer said she had no more questions for Lerma and Judge Woodward released her from the witness stand.  Then Stewart rested the defense’s case. Palmer then rested and closed the State’s case.

It was after 5 p.m. Wednesday and Judge Woodward asked if a Pre-Sentencing Interview had been done for Lerma because she is eligible for probation.  Court staff said that interview had not been done, so the Judge instructed the PSI be done Wednesday evening so he and the attorneys could review it before he pronounced a sentence.

Krystal Nicole Lerma is facing 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.  Because she has no prior convictions, she is eligible for an extended term of probation as well.  

Judge Woodward recessed the trial until 9 a.m. Thursday morning when he will pronounce Lerma’s sentence.