WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts woman who stabbed her live-in boyfriend 21 times then waited several hours before calling police because she “did not want to get in trouble” has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Stephanie Cruz was originally charged with first-degree murder in the June 2015 death of 37-year-old Cedric Taylor, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge Thursday, making her eligible for parole.
Authorities say Taylor was stabbed hours after Cruz failed to appear in court to testify against him in a domestic assault case in which she was the alleged victim.
She told police she and Taylor had been drinking and he “lunged” at her, so she locked herself in the bathroom. She emerged and stabbed him. She waited until the next day to call police.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 3.
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