Shawn Laval Smith , the man found guilty of stabbing UCLA grad student Brianna Kupfer to death in 2022, now has a permanent home behind bars … Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today Smith was sentenced to life in prison.
Smith was found guilty of one count of murder and a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait on September 10 … and a Superior Court Judge rejected his insanity plea ahead of sentencing him to life in prison without parole.
Back in January 2022, 24-year-old Brianna was working in a high-end furniture store by herself when Smith entered the building and stabbed her, and then fled the scene.
A police tip several days later identified Smith as the suspect — and officers made a daring arrest after spotting him roaming the streets and convenience stores.
“Brianna, a bright and talented architectural design student, was known for her kindness, adventurousness, love of learning, and the joy she brought to all who knew her,” Gascon said.