Woman who planned robbery of slain college student while friend posed as stranded motorist convicted of murder

One of two women charged in the 2022 killing of a college student who was traveling with his girlfriend has been found guilty of murder and other federal charges.

Krystal Diane Pinkins, 37, was convicted of murder, robbery and unlawful use of a firearm during a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona announced Friday. 

Adam Simjee, 22, and Mikayla Paulus, 20, were traveling to Cheaha State Park in Clay County, Alabama, on August 14, 2022, when Yasmine Marie Adel Hider, 21, flagged them down on a National Forest Service road in Talladega National Forest. Hider pretended to be stranded and asked for help giving Pinkins' car a jumpstart, but then robbed the couple, authorities said.