Convicted Killer Attacked in Courtroom During Sentencing

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.

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 DA said.

Authorities say Balbuena and Patino-Trejo, who had a "history of domestic violence in the relationship," were arguing in their Simi Valley apartment on Feb. 27, 2020.

Tragic Incident: Woman Stabbed to Death by Partner

A woman named Zaira Patino-Trejo was brutally murdered by her partner, Euren Balbuena, in Simi Valley, California. The incident occurred after Patino-Trejo's mother, Ariadna Avetisyan, went to their home and noticed signs of abuse on her daughter's face. Balbuena, who had locked Patino-Trejo inside the apartment, attacked Avetisyan with a kitchen knife, stabbing her twice in the head. He then turned his rage towards Patino-Trejo, stabbing her more than 30 times with multiple knives, resulting in her death.

Avetisyan managed to escape the apartment and sought help from a bystander who called 911. The police arrived at the scene and arrested Balbuena. He was charged with the murder of Patino-Trejo three days after the attack.

Zaira Patino-Trejo worked as a client associate for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, according to the Simi Valley Acorn.

"Zaira Patino-Trejo was such a vibrant young woman with a bright future," stated Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Suttner. "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."