Convicted killer attacked by victim's stepdad during sentencing in California courtroom
CBSN
A convicted killer was attacked in a California courtroom during his sentencing for stabbing his girlfriend to death nearly four years ago, authorities said this week.
Euren Balbuena, 33, was sentenced to 33 years to life in prison for killing his girlfriend, 31-year-old Zaira Patino-Trejo, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced in a Thursday news release. During the proceedings, a "brief altercation" unfolded as victim impact statements were being read in court, the DA said.
The victim's mother, who was also stabbed twice during the attack, was reading her impact statement when her husband, the victim's stepfather, lunged at Balbuena, the Ventura County Star reported, citing a spokesman for the DA's Office. He landed at least one punch before the two men were separated by bailiffs, the spokesman told the outlet.
