Mourning Stepfather Attacks Stepdaughter’s Killer During Sentencing Hearing

A stepfather mourning the loss of his stepdaughter launched an attack on her killer during his sentencing hearing in California on Wednesday. The incident occurred as Euren Balbuena, 33, was being sentenced to 33 years to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Zaira Patino-Trejo. The attack was quickly broken up by officials.

Background of the Case

Euren Balbuena, a resident of Simi Valley, was convicted in November of first-degree murder, battery causing great bodily injury, and assault with a deadly weapon against Zaira Patino-Trejo’s mother, Ariadna Avetisyan. The deadly fight took place in February 2020 when Avetisyan went to the couple’s apartment after not hearing from her daughter. Upon seeing signs of abuse on Patino-Trejo’s face and knowing about Balbuena’s history of domestic violence, Avetisyan attempted to leave with her daughter. However, Balbuena blocked their path and attacked them. He slashed Avetisyan across the face and stabbed Patino-Trejo more than 30 times.

The Courtroom Brawl

During the victim impact statement delivered by Ariadna Avetisyan, her grieving husband lunged at Balbuena. The stepfather managed to land at least one punch before they were separated by bailiffs. A photo shared by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office shows Balbuena being held back by a court official in the aftermath of the attack. The stepfather was subsequently removed from the courtroom, and the impact statements resumed about an hour later.

Sentencing and Reaction

Euren Balbuena was ultimately sentenced to 33 years to life in prison for the murder of Zaira Patino-Trejo. The sentencing brings some small relief to the family, as they know that Balbuena has been held accountable for the brutal murder. Melissa Suttner, the Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney, expressed condolences for the loss of Zaira Patino-Trejo and stated that justice was pursued on behalf of her and her family.

Conclusion

The attack during the sentencing hearing highlights the emotional toll that this case has taken on the family of Zaira Patino-Trejo. While justice has been served with Balbuena’s sentencing, the pain and loss experienced by the family cannot be replaced. The incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence.