Birmingham, Alabama – Two women received their sentences on Thursday in connection with the tragic death of a college student in the Talladega National Forest. U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced 37-year-old Krystal Diane Pinkins of Memphis, Tennessee, to life in prison, while 21-year-old Yasmine Marie Hider of Oklahoma received a 35-year prison term.
Hider had pleaded guilty to murder, kidnapping, and robbery the year prior and agreed to testify against Pinkins. In September 2023, Pinkins was convicted of murder, robbery, and unlawful use of a firearm during a violent crime. The two victims were University of Central Florida students who had made an impulsive trip to the national forest. Adam Simjee, 22, was fatally shot in an encounter with Hider and Pinkins, while his girlfriend, Mikayla Paulus, attempted to perform CPR on him but tragically, he did not survive.
Hider was found at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds after attempting to rob and exchange gunfire with the students. The investigation eventually led to the discovery of a base camp in the forest, where Pinkins was located and arrested. Authorities revealed that Hider had initially sought help from the couple before attempting to rob them. Prosecutors also stated that Pinkins had provided the firearm and assisted in planning the robbery, watching from the woods as the incident took place.
Following the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona expressed gratitude towards the local, state, and federal agencies for their dedication to the investigation. “My sincere hope is that these convictions and sentences bring justice to the victims and the victims’ families, reassuring them that these defendants have been held accountable for their actions,” she said. These sentences serve as a crucial step in bringing closure to this tragic event.