Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero recently announced a conclusive verdict in a harrowing case of domestic violence turned fatal. Christopher Torrez, 48, of Newman, was convicted by a jury for the murder of his girlfriend, Sonia Gonzalez, back in 2018 using a deadly weapon. According to the District Attorney’s office, Torrez faces life imprisonment with sentencing scheduled for September 19.
The tragic events unfolded on November 21, 2018, when, in a violent rage, Torrez struck Gonzalez, causing severe facial injuries. He escalated the assault by arming himself with a knife from the kitchen, chasing the victim to the front door, and stabbing her seven times as she attempted to flee. After the attack, Torrez made a desperate bid for escape. Alarmingly, despite the chaos sparked by his violent outburst, he was able to momentarily evade the law, leading to a pursuit by Newman police. They apprehended him after a brief chase, wherein Torrez — in a standoff — told the officers, “you’re going to have to shoot me, I’m not going back to jail,” as per the District Attorney’s Office.
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