Military trial begins for soldier accused of killing girlfriend

The military trial began in the case of the Fort Carson soldier accused of killing his girlfriend last year.

Prosecutors say Sgt. Montrell Mayo deliberately killed Cpl. Kimberly Walker on Valentine’s Day weekend 2013. Her body was found at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on South Circle Drive, which is now the Hotel Elegante.

On Thursday, a panel of five members heard opening statements from the prosecution and the defense. According to both sides, Mayo and Walker were engaged. He was stationed at Ft. Carson, and she was stationed at Ft. Riley in Kansas. She drove to Colorado Springs that weekend and the two met at the hotel. Walker decorated the hotel room with rose petals and chocolates.

The prosecution said this was a “brutal, deliberate, premeditated murder.” They said Walker had considered not coming to Colorado Springs and that the two began arguing once she arrived. They said Mayo slapped Walker, that he hit her with a glass object multiple times, strangled her and then suffocated her to death. They said after Mayo killed Walker, he made “superficial wounds” to his wrists, arranged the room to make it look like someone was sleeping, left to North Carolina and told others where to find Walker’s body.

During the trial, they plan on bringing in experts to testify and to show the pillowcase they said Mayo used.

The defense said this was a “crime of passion.” They said Walker was angry at Mayo and came to Colorado Springs to break up with him while he hoped they would reconcile that weekend. They said she told him she didn’t love him and that he felt rejected, that he slapped her and hit her with a glass object and choked her. They said he then slit his writs and attempted to slit his neck. And that he then tucked Walker in and lay next to her waiting for death. They said he then decided he wanted to see his family one last time and drove home to North Carolina.

They said the prosecution must show Mayo had the intent to kill Walker.

The panel also heard testimony from a paramedic that responded the day Walker’s body was found and from Walker’s twin sister. She told the panel her sister was mad at Mayo because he opened a Valentine’s Day gift she had sent her and that she wanted to break up. She said after speaking with Mayo on the phone, she convinced her sister to go to Colorado Springs to pick up her gift.

If convicted, Mayo faces life in prison without the possibility of parole and a dishonorable discharge.