Convicted Murderer Attacked by Victim's Stepdad During Court Sentencing
In a dramatic turn of events in a California courtroom, convicted killer Euren Balbuena, 33, was physically assaulted during his sentencing for the 2020 murder of his girlfriend, Zaira Patino-Trejo. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Balbuena received a sentence of 33 years to life in prison.
The confrontation occurred as the victim's mother, Ariadna Avetisyan, who survived a stabbing attack herself during the incident, was delivering her impact statement. The victim's stepfather, overcome with emotion, lunged at Balbuena and struck him before bailiffs intervened and separated the two men.
Balbuena was found guilty of first-degree murder, battery causing great bodily injury, and assault with a deadly weapon against Avetisyan. The jury reached its verdict on November 21, 2023.
The fatal incident took place on February 27, 2020, in the couple's Simi Valley apartment. Following a history of domestic violence, an argument escalated, leading Balbuena to attack both Patino-Trejo and her mother. Avetisyan, who went to check on her daughter after being unable to contact her, was stabbed twice in the head. Balbuena then turned on Patino-Trejo, stabbing her more than 30 times with multiple knives.
Avetisyan managed to escape and get help from a bystander who called the police. Balbuena was arrested at the scene and later charged with Patino-Trejo's murder. Patino-Trejo, a client associate for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, was remembered by Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Suttner as a vibrant young woman with a bright future.
Suttner expressed hope that the sentencing brings some relief to the family, emphasizing that justice was pursued for Patino-Trejo and her loved ones, and Balbuena was held accountable for the brutal murder.