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Murrieta Man Who Killed Girlfriend And Burned Her Body In Trash Bin Gets Sentenced

MURRIETA (AP) — A Southern California man found guilty of killing his girlfriend and dumping and burning her body in a shopping center trash bin has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise said in a Saturday story that 45-year-old Melvin Louis Shaw of Murietta received the sentence Friday, after being convicted May 3 of first degree murder.

Shaw told the judge through tears that he regretted what he had done, but protested his conviction.

Prosecutors said Shaw killed 41-year-old Elisa Marie Lopez in July 2007 after the two argued about him coming home drunk. A security guard at a Temecula mall found her burning body in the trash.

The defense said Shaw blacked out the night the couple argued and doesn't remember harming Lopez.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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