Thursday, October 13, 2011

Springfield, MA: Man accused of killing ex’s mother heads to trial

SPRINGFIELD -- The trial of a Springfield man charged with fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend’s mother has started.

The murder trial of 20-year-old Jesus Gilberto Garcia got under way on Wednesday with testimony from the victim’s daughter.

Mariah Girouard testified in Hampden Superior Court that Garcia broke into her home in July 2010 and repeatedly stabbed 47-year-old Valerie Girouard in front of her.

The Republican reports that the younger woman said on the stand that Garcia laughed, then slapped and kicked her mother after cutting her throat.

Prosecutors say Garcia had threatened the family before.

His defense lawyers say the killing was without malice.

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