Man Sentenced For Murder Of His Girlfriend Who Was Run Over On 210 Freeway
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities said a North Hollywood man was sentenced Friday to 16 years to life in state prison for the murder of his girlfriend.
Ricardo Jimenez, 27, was found guilty of second-degree murder April 3. Prosecutors argued at trial that Jimenez stabbed Maria J. multiple times and that she jumped out of a her red Toyota Corolla to avoid further attack.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced the jury also found true an allegation that a knife was used as a dangerous or deadly weapon.
On Aug. 29, 2013, Maria J., 22, (referred to as "Josie" in court documents) was stabbed by Jimenez while he drove her car eastbound on the freeway, Deputy District Attorney Elena Abramson said. The couple had gotten into an argument earlier, according to court testimony.
Abramson argued in court that the victim jumped out of the moving vehicle to escape Jimenez. She was then killed by oncoming traffic.