Former Girlfriend Convicted in Attack

A Ventura woman was convicted Monday of attempted murder for stabbing her veterinarian boyfriend more than 30 times after their breakup.

Jeannette Smith cried as the Ventura County Superior Court jury returned its verdict after less than a day of deliberations. Smith was also convicted of felony battery for biting an amateur wrestler who stopped on the road to halt the attack.

She faces up to 13 years in prison at her sentencing, scheduled for July 25.

The victim in the case, 41-year-old Jeffrey K. Saur, embraced the prosecutor after the verdict and said he only wants the defendant out of his life.

“I fell in love with her. I tried to do everything I could for her. And this is the thanks I get,” said Saur outside of court. He is still recovering from his wounds, including a collapsed lung.

According to court testimony, Smith and Saur met after he cared for her cat. But their yearlong affair ended in August because Smith began displaying emotional problems, Saur testified.

Saur was helping Smith move her belongings from his Ventura home Sept. 3 when she forced him to pull off California 126 near the Ventura Freeway. She then pulled a paring knife from under her seat and first stabbed herself before knifing him.

During two days on the witness stand, Smith testified that she only intended to hurt herself and could not even remember stabbing Saur.