Supreme Court Upholds Taos County Woman's Murder Convictions

Precious Aguilar found guilty of accessory to first-degree murder and other charges related to 2020 killing

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld the convictions of Precious Aguilar for accessory to first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, accessory to first-degree kidnapping, accessory to aggravated battery, and evidence tampering in the 2020 killing of Leroy Damasio Fresquez in Taos County. Aguilar was sentenced to life imprisonment plus an additional 9 years.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal issues surrounding accessory liability and the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions for violent crimes, even when multiple individuals are involved. The Supreme Court's decision affirms the jury's findings and upholds the lengthy sentence for Aguilar's role in Fresquez's death.

The details

According to trial testimony, Aguilar was in a car with her mother Juanita Romero and several others when Romero repeatedly stabbed Fresquez, who had allegedly kidnapped, drugged, and raped Aguilar days earlier. Aguilar was sitting on Fresquez's lap in the front seat when the attack occurred. Fresquez grabbed a knife and tried to stab Romero, but was disarmed by another passenger. Romero then chased Fresquez into the mountains and shot him, though his remains were not found for months. Aguilar was convicted of being an accessory to the murder, despite her mother being acquitted of all charges related to Fresquez's death.

  • The killing occurred on Thanksgiving Day in 2020.
  • Aguilar was convicted and sentenced in 2021.
  • The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld the convictions on February 18, 2026.

The players

Precious Aguilar

A Taos County woman convicted of accessory to first-degree murder and other charges related to the 2020 killing of Leroy Damasio Fresquez.

Juanita Romero

Aguilar's mother, who was tried separately and acquitted of all charges relating to Fresquez's death.

Leroy Damasio Fresquez

The victim who was killed in the 2020 incident.

Michael E. Vigil

The New Mexico Supreme Court Justice who wrote the unanimous decision upholding Aguilar's convictions.

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What they’re saying

“A reasonable jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendant intended for Juanita to kill Victim based on the evidence presented at trial.”

— Justice Michael E. Vigil (New Mexico Supreme Court decision)

“The evidence established that Defendant and other individuals transported Victim in the car to another location, where Victim was repeatedly stabbed, and Defendant restrained Victim by sitting on his lap. The jury could reasonably rely on this evidence to conclude that each element of conspiracy, first-degree kidnapping, and aggravated battery were met to find Defendant guilty.”

— Justice Michael E. Vigil (New Mexico Supreme Court decision)

What’s next

The case is now closed, with the New Mexico Supreme Court's decision upholding Aguilar's convictions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions for violent crimes involving multiple individuals, as well as the complex legal issues surrounding accessory liability. The Supreme Court's decision affirms the jury's findings and upholds the lengthy sentence for Aguilar's role in Fresquez's death.