The State - News from Feb. 28, 1988

San Francisco bar manager Claude T. Smith, appearing in a courtroom that was awash with red carnations, was sentenced to four years in prison for killing his girlfriend. The defendant, 47, a former manager of the popular Buena Vista Cafe, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of Christine Holme, 36, and sentenced after a jury trial deadlocked over a decision on a charge of second-degree murder. Waiving his right to a new jury trial, Smith submitted his case to Superior Court Judge Timothy Reardon, who convicted Smith of a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter and use of a deadly weapon. About 40 friends and relatives of the victim wore the red flowers.