Burbank Man Sentenced To 26 Years To Life For Fatally Stabbing Girlfriend
VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — A Burbank man was sentenced Wednesday to 26 years to life for the 2012 fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Gregory Dohi imposed the sentence on Stephen Todd Joanou Jr, 27, at a morning hearing after denying a motion for a new trial.
Joanou was convicted of one count of first-degree murder on March 24. Jurors also found true an allegation that the defendant used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp object, in the commission of the crime. He was also ordered to pay $5,000 to the victims' state compensation board.
The victim's body was found at Weddington Park in North Hollywood during the early morning hours of March 20, 2012. The victim -- 32-year-old Patrina Sebella of Rosemont -- had been stabbed 19 times in her upper body, Deputy District Sharon Ransom said.
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