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Press Release

Pinedale, N.M., Man Sentenced for Federal Involuntary Manslaughter Conviction

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Ramsey Litzin, 20, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Pinedale, N.M., was sentenced this morning for his involuntary manslaughter conviction.  Litzin will serve 18 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Litzin was arrested on Nov. 15, 2013, on a criminal complaint alleging that he killed a 27-year-old Navajo man by stabbing him to death in the early hours of Nov. 12, 2013, in Pinedale, N.M., which is located within the Navajo Indian Reservation in McKinley County, N.M.  Litzin was intoxicated when he killed the victim during a physical altercation between the two men.

On April 24, 2014, Litzin pleaded guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge and admitted killing the victim by stabbing him with a knife.  According to the plea agreement, Litzin armed himself with a knife prior to a physical fight with the victim and stabbed the victim approximately 23 times with the intention of causing the  victim to sustain serious bodily injury and knowing his actions could result in the victim’s death.  Although most of the stab wounds were superficial, at least three stab wounds contributed to the victim’s death.  Litzin stated that he was angry, intoxicated and had been struck by the victim when he stabbed the victim to death.

The case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito.

Updated January 26, 2015