Woman gets life in capital murder of Afghanistan war veteran during drug robbery

A woman received an automatic life sentence Friday after being convicted of capital murder in the 2017 slaying of an Afghanistan war veteran.

Stephanie Fernandez was convicted by a jury of capital murder in the death of Tyler Kaden Croke, 23, on May 7 during a drug robbery at the Cantera Apartments at 1501 Lomaland Drive in East El Paso.

A jury of seven women and five men deliberated for more than four hours before reaching a verdict.

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Fernandez had no reaction as the verdict was read.

The capital murder conviction brings a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Fernandez was one of five people arrested in Croke’s death.

According to testimony, Fernandez was the getaway driver during the robbery.

In closing arguments, prosecutors said that even though Fernandez was not in the apartment during the slaying, she played a pivotal role.

“Tyler Croke would not be dead if it was not for this defendant,” prosecutor James Montoya said during his closing arguments. “She may have been the getaway driver, but this happened because of her. She knew the location. She took them there. If not for her, he wouldn’t be dead.”

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Co-prosecutor Amanda Enriquez said a confession Fernandez gave to El Paso Police Department investigators showed she was in on the plan to steal drugs from Croke.

Fernandez told detectives during an interrogation that she was the getaway driver and did not know Croke would be home. She added that she did not know the men planned to kill Croke.

She also claimed she only participated in the crime because she feared for her life.

Defense lawyers Lillian Blancas and Brian Rodriguez argued that the other suspects in the case threatened and forced Fernandez to take part in the crime.

“They put her under duress,” Blancas said. “They told her, ‘We are going to take you so you can’t say (expletive).’ She was under duress.”

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According to testimony, Fernandez claimed that she feared the other suspects because of their military background and alleged ties to drug cartels.

The other suspects arrested are Brandon Olsen, who was stationed at Fort Bliss at the time of the incident, and Zachary Johnston and Adam Acosta, who are former soldiers previously stationed at Fort Bliss.

The last defendant is Tristan Hunter Chilton.

The men are accused of beating and stabbing Croke during the drug robbery. Johnston is accused of cutting Croke’s throat, according to testimony in the trial and court documents.

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The cases against the other defendants, who are all charged with capital murder, are pending in district court.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at 546-6249; aamartinez@elpasotimes.com; @AMartinez31 on Twitter.