Spurned Lover Convicted in Fatal Stabbing
A Los Angeles man was convicted Tuesday of fatally stabbing a woman as she slept, then fleeing to Fresno with one of her three young children.
A Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated several hours before finding Juan Hilario Bautista guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Martha Chavez Figueroa, 29, who authorities said had rejected Bautista’s romantic advances.
The construction worker also was convicted of kidnapping a child under 14 and using a knife in the commission of the crime.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Marisa Zarate said Bautista, 33, faces a maximum of 37 years to life in prison when he is sentenced July 25.
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