San Diego

Woman Sentenced for Cold Case Killing of U.S. Marine on Christmas Eve

A woman convicted of first degree murder for her role in the slaying of a U.S. Marine Corporal shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve in 1991 has been sentenced. 

Kimberly Andrews, 40, was sentenced to 26 years to life behind bars Monday by Superior Court Judge Blaine Bowman for her role in Cpl. Lindell Mitchell's cold case death. 

Mitchell was spending time with some of his fellow Marines at a gathering at his apartment on Christmas Eve when the crime happened, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Andrews and her friends were invited to the get together and were at the apartment that night. 

Andrews and Mitchell's roommate got into an argument at the gathering and Andrews threatened the Marines, saying she would be back with others to shoot up the home, the U.S. Attorney said. 

Later that night, a group of men stormed into Mitchell's apartment, breaking down the door and ultimately shooting Mitchell in the back. He died as a result of his injuries. 

Investigators could not identify most of those responsible for the crime at first and the case went cold for more than two decades. 

However, in 2012, the case was cracked open when a joint investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) found new leads. New signs pointed detectives to Andrews, who was later arrested in Louisiana in July 2014. 

Prosecutors say Andrews had Mitchell killed in his home. 

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis praised the cold case homicide unit in their role in bringing closure to the victims' loved ones. 

β€œIt took more than two decades for the defendant to be held responsible for her actions, but ultimately justice was served,” Dumanis said in a statement.

In the process of their investigation, detectives also arrested James Wesley Noble, 59, in October for his role in the crime. Noble has been charged with first degree murder. His case is set to go to trial on Oct. 17. 

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