A grieving stepfather lashed out at his stepson’s killer during his sentencing hearing in California on Wednesday, throwing a punch before officers broke up the courtroom brawl.
Euren Balbuena, 33, was sentenced to 33 years to life in prison for the 2020 killing of his girlfriend, 31-year-old Zaira Patino-Trejo, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said Thursday.
The Simi Valley killer stabbed Patino-Trejo to death in front of her mother Ariadna Avetisyan, who was also slashed in the head.
Avetisyan was delivering an emotional victim impact statement, telling the court how Patino-Trejo’s disappearance affected her family’s life, when her husband lunged at Balbuena.
The grieving man threw at least one punch before the two were separated by bailiffs, the Ventura County Star reported.
Convicted killer Euren Balbuena was arrested in Ventura County Court after he was attacked by his victim’s stepfather during Wednesday’s sentencing. Ventura County District Attorney’s Office
A handcuffed and dazed Balbuena was seen in a photo shared by the DA’s office being taken into custody by court officials after the attack.
The stepfather was removed from the courtroom. The impact statement continued about an hour later.
As of Thursday afternoon, county sheriff’s officials had not filed a case regarding the incident with the DA’s office, the outlet reported.
Balbuena was sentenced to 33 years to life in prison for killing his girlfriend Zaira Patino Trejo in 2020. Zaira Patino Trejo
Balbuena was convicted in November of Patino-Trejo’s first-degree murder, battery causing great bodily harm, and assault with a deadly weapon against her mother.
The deadly fight erupted in February 2020 when Avetisyan showed up at the couple’s Simi Valley apartment after not hearing from his daughter.
Upon seeing the signs of abuse on Patino-Trejo’s face and learning of Balbuena’s history of domestic violence, the mother desperately tried to leave with her daughter.
Balbuena was convicted in November of Patino-Trejo’s first-degree murder, battery causing great bodily harm, and assault with a deadly weapon against her mother. Ventura County District Attorney’s Office
The killer blocked their path, slashing Avetisyan twice in the face before attacking his daughter.
He used several knives to stab Patino-Trejo more than 30 times – although prosecutors argued the number was closer to 95.
After seeing her daughter die, Avetisyan ran away bleeding profusely and called 911.
“Zaira Patino-Trejo is an energetic young woman with a bright future,” said Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Suttner in a statement.
“We cannot replace her unimaginable loss, but we are pursuing justice for Zaira and her family. We hope that this sentence brings some relief to his family, knowing that Euren Balbuena has taken responsibility for his brutal murder.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
