Killer in ‘Sleepwalking’ Case Given 26-Year Term
A man who claimed he was sleepwalking when he murdered his girlfriend in a Santa Catalina Island hotel was sentenced to the maximum 26 years to life Thursday.
Stephen Reitz, 28, of Coronado told police he was acting out a dream that an intruder was attacking him when he killed Eva Marie Weinfurtner in 2001. Prosecutors said Reitz threw a flower pot at Weinfurtner’s head, cracking her skull, then stabbed her in the neck.
Reitz, who had a history of mental problems, told authorities the pair had been drinking and using cocaine hours before the murder. Long Beach Superior Court Judge Gary Ferrari rejected defense motions for a new trial or to reduce the charges to second-degree murder.
Los Angeles Deputy Dist. Atty. Ken Lamb called the sentence appropriate.
“I think the evidence was overwhelming that he was conscious and aware of his actions while he committed the crime,” Lamb said.
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