Grieving stepfather attacks stepdaughter’s killer in court during wife’s emotional testimony
Bec Oakes
Featured Image Credit: Ventura County District Attorney's Office
The sentencing hearing for a Simi Valley man who brutally murdered his girlfriend was interrupted earlier this week when the victim's stepfather attacked him in the courtroom.
On Wednesday (January 17), 33-year-old Euren Balbuena was sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 murder of Zaira Patino-Trejo, 31, who was his girlfriend at the time.
He had stabbed her to death in the presence of her mother, Ariadna Avetisyan, who was also attacked by Balbuena.
The fight happened in February 2020 when Avetisyan tried to leave with her daughter after turning up at the couple's Simi Valley home.
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According to the DA's office, her mother knew about 'their ongoing argument and a history of domestic violence' in their relationship.
But Balbuena blocked their path and grabbed a kitchen knife, slashing Avetisyan two times across the face.
He then turned his attention to his girlfriend, using several knives to stab her more than 30 times - however, prosecutors argued the total could be closer to 95.
Bleeding profusely, Avetisyan fled the scene and got a bystander to call 911.
In November 2023, Balbuena was convicted of first-degree murder, battery causing great bodily injury and assault with a deadly weapon.
At his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Patino-Trejo’s family members gathered in the courtroom to read victim impact statements.
While Avetisyan was giving an emotional statement, her husband lunged at Balbuena.
Joey Buttitta, spokesman for the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, said that the man had landed at least one blow on Balbuena before officials broke up the brawl.
A photo shared by the District Attorney's office also shows a handcuffed Balbuena looking confused in the aftermath of the attack.
Patino-Trejo's stepfather was removed from the courtroom and the reading of impact statements resumed an hour later, Buttitta confirmed.
As of Thursday afternoon, county sheriff's officials hadn't filed a case concerning the incident with the DA's office.
Balbuena was sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 33 years.
Following his sentencing, Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Suttner said in a statement: "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."
UNILAD has contacted Ventura County Sheriff's Office for comment.