BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Ridgecrest woman told a Kern County courtroom on Tuesday that she was so drunk that she has no recollection of shooting and killing her boyfriend.
Renee Molina said she’s a good person. Before her arrest a year ago, she’d never been in trouble with the law. What happened early Dec. 4, 2022, remains a blur, Molina said. She remembers celebrating her birthday at a house party, drinking heavily.
Then she blacked out.
She has no recollection of shooting her boyfriend of eight years in the head, killing him, Molina told members of both her and the victim’s family seated in Kern County Superior Court. Speaking through tears, she said not remembering “terrifies” her.
“Joseph Loza Jr. did not deserve to lose his life,” she said.
Following her comments, Molina, 24, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. She pleaded no contest last month to voluntary manslaughter, and charges of first-degree murder and assault with a gun were dismissed.
Two young sisters of Loza had statements read on their behalf describing their loss.