At his sentencing hearing, a convicted killer was attacked in court by his female victim’s stepdad
(Euren Balbuena mugshot and his victim, Zaira Patino-Trejo, Image credit: Twitter)
On January 18, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that convicted killer Euren Balbuena, 33, of Simi Valley, California was sentenced to 33 years to life in prison for three felony convictions, including the murder of his girlfriend Zaira Patino-Trejo.
Balbuena was convicted by a jury on November 21, 2023, of the first-degree murder of Patino-Trejo, battery causing great bodily injury, and, assault with a deadly weapon against her mother. The jury also found two special allegations to be true, that Balbuena personally used a knife in the killing and caused great bodily injury in commission of a felony.
During Balbuena’s sentencing hearing taking place in a California courtroom, the convicted murderer was attacked by Zaira Patino-Trejo’s stepfather. The attack happened while Patino-Trejo’s mother, who was also stabbed by Balbuena, was reading her victim impact statement aloud in the courtroom. The stepfather lunged at Balbuena and got at least one punch in before bailiffs subdued him, according to CBS News.
Background: On February 27, 2020, Balbuena and Ms. Patino-Trejo were in the middle of an argument inside of their Simi Valley apartment. Aware of the ongoing argument and a history of domestic violence in the relationship, the victim’s mother arrived at the apartment when she could not get in contact with Ms. Patino-Trejo. Seeing signs of more abuse on her daughter’s face, the victim’s mother tried to leave with her.
Balbuena would not let Ms. Patino-Trejo out of the apartment and instead grabbed a kitchen knife, swinging it at the victim’s mother. He slashed her twice in the head before turning and stabbing Ms. Patino-Trejo. Balbuena stabbed her more than 30 times with several knives, killing her. ~ Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko
The victim’s mother ran bleeding from the apartment and contacted a bystander who called 911. Simi Valley Police Officers arrived at the scene and arrested Balbuena who remained inside the apartment.
Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Suttner said after sentencing:
“Zaira Patino-Trejo was such a vibrant young woman with a bright future. We cannot replace her unimaginable loss, but we pursued justice for Zaira and her family. We hope that this sentence brings some small relief to her family, knowing that Euren Balbuena was held accountable for her brutal murder.”
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(Source and cover photo of Euren Balbuena in court: Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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