Local News in Brief : 17 Years to Life Imposed in Slaying of Girlfriend
A Tujunga man on Friday was sentenced to 17 years to life in state prison for the 1984 slaying of his live-in girlfriend, whose remains were found buried in the desert east of Palmdale earlier this year.
Kenneth Allen Roberts, 45, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder in the Aug. 3, 1984, shooting of Annette Lillian Thom, 43. Roberts, who claimed the shooting was accidental, was sentenced by San Fernando Superior Court Judge Robert D. Fratianne.
Two hunters found Thom’s remains near Pearblossom in February.
Roberts claimed that he and Thom had driven to the desert to watch the stars, but the two got into an argument, a probation report said. Thom pushed Roberts while he was putting a .22-caliber rifle into the back of his truck and the gun accidentally discharged, striking Thom in the head, according to Roberts’ account.
Roberts said he did not notify authorities because he wanted to “protect his children from disgrace,” the probation report said.
Roberts surrendered to police in April after his brother, James William Yuill, 39, of Tujunga, told police of the killing, court records said.
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