Crime Watch

Underpass shooter sentenced to the Montana Women's Prison

Posted: Jul 19, 2012 7:35 AM by Q2 News
Updated: Jul 19, 2012 7:35 AM

BILLINGS - A Billings woman who shot another woman in the head causing permanent vision loss and profound disabilities was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

On Wednesday afternoon in Yellowstone County, District Judge Russell Fagg sentenced Crystal Lundberg, 27, to a term of 35 years in the Montana Women's Prison, with ten of those years suspended.

Lundberg was originally charged with attempted deliberate homicide but in March pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated assault with a weapons enhancement. Lundberg also entered a guilty plea to tampering with evidence.

In the plea bargain reached with prosecutors, Lundberg admitted shooting Lindsey Schmaing in the eye in December 2010 near the 6th Avenue Underpass.

According to court documents, Lundberg and Schmaing were in the passenger seats of side-by-side vehicles when Lundberg shot Schmaing in the head.

Steven Schmaing, 29 - the driver of the car and Lindsey's husband - returned fire at the truck Lunberg was riding in but did not wound anyone with his gunfire. Steven Schmaing is serving a three year deferred sentence for his role in the shooting.

The Schmaing's two young children were in the back seat of their Honda sedan when the gun battle occurred.

Yellowstone Senior Deputy County Attorney Ed Zink said the victim took the stand Wednesday.

Schmaing has lost an eye and movement in one of her arms. She also had to relocate to another state for medical treatment.