Reseda man gets 56 years to life for killing his girlfriend
A man convicted of killing his girlfriend in her Reseda apartment was sentenced Tuesday to 56 years to life in prison, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said.
James Howard Jr., 23, was convicted in September of murder in the slaying of Sharilit Matthews, who was killed Feb. 2, 2012, and was found eight days later by police conducting a welfare check.
Howard’s conviction carried special allegations that he used a knife -- a deadly and dangerous weapon -- in the murder and that he had received a strike conviction in 2009 for robbery.
INTERACTIVE: L.A. Times Homicide Report
Howard moved in with Matthews, 41, in August 2011 after serving time in prison for the robbery conviction.
At the trial, neighbors testified they would hear the couple arguing and yelling through the walls in Matthews’ apartment. Her friends said they saw bruises on her body on various occasions, according to the district attorney’s office.
L.A. County Superior Court Judge James Brandolino denied a motion for a new trial, according to the D.A.’s office.
ALSO:
L.A. County extends time for child welfare oversight commission
Crystal Cathedral closing for transformation into Catholic cathedral
Man’s claim of being kidnapped while walking dog a hoax, LAPD says
Twitter: @James_Barragan
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
