The Brief

FLORENCE, Ariz. - A man accused of first-degree premeditated murder was sentenced to his natural life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Javier Lopez pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 12, the Pinal County Attorney announced.

The backstory:

The Pinal County Attorney's Office stated, "The case stems from the horrific murder of Christina Lopez, the estranged wife of the defendant. The defendant brutally stabbed her 43 times on April 11, 2024."

When the attack happened , one of their kids was waiting outside in the car. The teen reportedly asked Lopez if he had hurt his mother.

Dig deeper:

"This was a calculated, premeditated act of murder that robbed a mother of her life and young children of their mother.," said Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller. "These c

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