A 27-year-old Burbank man was sentenced this week to 26 years to life in prison in the fatal stabbing of his on-and-off girlfriend, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

A jury in March found Stephen Todd Joanou Jr. guilty of first degree murder with an allegation that he used a sharp object to kill 32-year-old Patrina Sabella, according to a news release from prosecutors.

Sabella was found March 20, 2012 lying in a pool of blood behind a shed in South Weddington Park in Studio City. She had been stabbed 19 times in her upper body, prosecutors said.

Surveillance video showed Joanou and Sabella buying coffee at a 7-Eleven in Hollywood roughly three hours before she was found dead. Two coffee cups with traces of DNA from Joanou and Sabella were also found inside her car at the park.

Investigators also obtained text messages between the two discussing plans to meet up that night. The victim’s father, Michael Sabella, testified that about 10:30 or 11 p.m., his daughter said she was going to pick up Joanou, who did not have a car. He tried to persuade her not to, but she sneaked out of the house without saying goodbye, he testified.

Three hours later, Sabella got a call from police informing him what happened.

Through the trial, Joanou denied seeing Sabella that night. Joanou had returned home without any blood on his clothes and didn’t show any signs that he had been in a physical altercation, said his attorney Christopher Chaney. 

His client was also turning his life around by working in construction with his father. Joanou had also completed a drug rehabilitation program.

Prosecutors failed to provide a weapon or present blood evidence linking Joanou to the crime scene, Chaney said.

On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Gregory Dohi also denied Joanou’s motion for a new trial.

-- Los Angeles Times staff

The family was returning from a sweet-sixteen celebration and the car was loud with chatter. As they pulled up to the curb in Exposition Park, gunfire erupted.

Behind their car, a gunman in an SUV was shooting at a man standing in the street. The family was caught in the middle.

When the gunfire stopped, the driver, Jacob Ayala, called out, asking if his six passengers were OK.

In the middle seat of the silver Honda Pilot, Nelva Hernandez, 45, sat motionless, her head cocked to one side. There was blood around her neck.

"No, Nelva, no," her sister, Blanca Ventura, cried.

The gunman's bullets had missed Blanca's 2-year-old grandson by inches, striking Hernandez in the head. She was taken to a hospital and for the next week, family members, including her two sons, Kevin 14, and Elvin, 18, stayed by her bedside. On April 5, one week after the shooting, Hernandez died.

In the two months since, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Paul Shearholdt has gone door to door in the neighborhood looking for witnesses. He can't find any video surveillance in the area that shows the shooting. So far, he's gotten only a few people to talk.

As the days go on, Shearholdt is running out of leads. The case has frustrated the investigator, who says the mother of two just happened to be in the line of fire that day.

"Simply put," he said, "she was completely innocent."

Hernandez was one of thirteen siblings, and every weekend they found ways to get together. She loved to be behind the scenes, coordinating.

"She was always the one cooking," said her niece, Sulma Ruiz, 27.

Hernandez had already begun planning her younger son's birthday party — in December. And she always had food ready for the boys when they got home from school.

When her sister was diagnosed with stomach cancer in February, Hernandez came each day to drop off kale, bananas and other organic vegetables and free-range meats. The sisters would spend hours on the phone.

Now, Ventura says, "there's a big emptiness."

Jose Antonio Hernandez, 50, said he misses their nightly walks. They'd been together for 20 years. Now there is no one to arrange the roses from the bushes he planted so his wife could have fresh flowers in their Cerritos home.

Shearholdt, the detective, is still hoping for a breakthrough. He believes that the gunman might be a gang member and that someone in the neighborhood knows who did it. Even an anonymous call would help.

"It's one thing to kill a rival.…" he said. "It's another when they hit someone that's unintended." A $50,000 reward offer is pending with the City Council.

"When your investigation is just completely wide open like this one is right now, just getting some sense of direction would be nice."

Hernandez's family has a new ritual. Each night, they exchange text messages to mark the start of a prayer. In Fresno, Dallas and Los Angeles, they all pray for the detectives to succeed and for the killer to be found.

Anyone with information can call the LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-4341. Anonymous tippers can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

—Nicole Santa Cruz

PHOTOS: Innocent bystander

Top photo: Jose Antonio Hernandez shows a picture of himself with his wife, Nelva, that he keeps on his phone. Bottom photo: Hernandez mourns her loss | Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Justin Scott Verano, a 38-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Wednesday, June 4 near Sycamore and South Cedar streets in Montebello, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

People reported hearing gunshots in the area about 4:42 p.m. and when Montebello Police Department officers responded, they found Verano inside a four-door red sedan that had crashed, said Lt. Eddie Hernandez with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Verano had been shot and was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m. at the scene, said Ed Winter, a spokesman with the coroner’s office.

Detectives are unsure whether the gunman was in another car or on the street, Hernandez said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Christopher Hernandez, a 19-year-old Latinomale, died Thursday, June 5, in Silver Lake, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records. The cause of death is pending.

Clayton Mickel Shuford, an 18-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, June 5, near South Vermont Avenue and West 91st Street in Westmont, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Deputies responded to a call of a gunshot victim in the area about 5:30 a.m., said Lt. Eddie Hernandez with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Deputies found Shuford in a dark-colored Ford Mustang with gunshot wounds. 

The car was seen going eastbound on West 91st Street before colliding with the center median on South Vermont Avenue.  Witnesses heard loud arguing in the area followed by multiple gunshots, Hernandez said.

Shuford was pronounced dead at 5:49 a.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Reginald Dewayne Pitts, a 30-year-old blackmale, died Tuesday, June 3, after being shot in Chesterfield Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Jerome Johnson, a 36-year-old blackmale, died Tuesday, June 10, in West Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records. The cause of death is pending.

A 55-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to fatally stabbing his estranged wife at a Santa Monica grocery store, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Kelvin Melvin Green, a black man, was immediately sentenced by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Dabney to 75 years to life in prison. The murder conviction counts as Green’s third strike, according to prosecutors.

On Aug. 21, 2011, Green stabbed his estranged wife, 46-year-old Christina Talley, while she was working at a Santa Monica Albertson’s store. Talley died a day later.

Green also assaulted a man who tried to stop the attack, but the man was not injured. Talley had previously told Green that she wanted to end their relationship and had taken out a restraining order against him, prosecutors said.

Green is due back in court September 3 for a hearing.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Walter Battle, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, June 5, in the 9000 block of South Budlong Avenue in Westmont, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Battle was walking south on South Budlong Avenue shortly before 6:45 p.m. when two sedans going the same direction stopped alongside him, said Lt. Eddie Hernandez with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

A person in one of the cars got out and exchanged words with Battle. The gunman then shot Battle, who was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7:16 p.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

A 34-year-old Latina who was at a nearby home was treated by paramedics for a graze wound, Hernandez said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

A 66-year-old man was sentenced Sept. 4, 2013, to state prison for the 2006 killing of his two stepdaughters in Manchester Square.

Robert Lee Phillips was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting deaths of Sabrina Taylor and her sister, Charlette Johnson.

On July 8, a jury found Phillips guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Taylor and second-degree murder in the slaying of Johnson, as well as the attempted murder of two other individuals.

Two previous trials had ended with hung juries.

Taylor, 30, and Johnson, 33, were shot and killed Sept. 2, 2006 in the 2000 block of West 84th Place in Manchester Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Around 8:30 p.m. LAPD officers responded to a complaint about a noisy party, said Officer Sandra Escalante. But when officers arrived at the home, they found a homicide scene.

The party, a 30th birthday celebration for Taylor, was held at the home Phillips shared with the sisters' mother and attended by friends and family.

According to the deputy district attorney, Phillips became irritated with the loud and profane rap tunes that were being played. After drinking heavily, Phillips went to his vehicle, grabbed a handgun, returned to the party and opened fire.

Johnson, shot once in the head, was pronounced dead at the scene by L.A. Fire Department paramedics.

Taylor was transported to a hospital were she was pronounced dead at 9:25 p.m., according to coroner's records.

Phillips, who had been shot by an unknown guest at the party, was transported to a hospital, treated for his injuries and released to police custody.

-- Maloy Moore

This is an update to an older Homicide Report entry. The Times is committed to reporting and updating past filings.

Tynisa Lagail Hicks, a 37-year-old black woman, was shot and killed Saturday, June 7, in the 1400 block of West 104th Street in Westmont, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly after midnight, Hicks and her husband were standing in front of their home when a dark-colored sedan pulled up, said Lt. Steve Jauch with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Two black men got out of the car and opened fire at the couple, who ran inside, Jauch said.

Hicks, who was hit by the gunfire, was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. at the scene, said Ed Winter, a spokesman with the coroner’s office. Her husband, Anthony Guyton, was not injured.

Guyton said he and his wife had just returned home from celebrating his birthday and were walking inside their home when the shooting occurred.

The couple have three children, including a girl who was planning to celebrate her eighth birthday that day. 

"My wife was a beautiful person," Guyton said. "I just lost my best friend. She's gone. Just like an empty hole in my heart. My kids just lost their mother. I have no explanation for that. None whatsoever."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz and Irfan Khan

A 49-year-old man was sentenced April 29, 2005, to state prison for a 2003 killing in Hawthorne, according the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Calvin Keith Whetstone pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years in prison for the shooting death of Jermaine Knox, his son-in-law.

Knox, 23, was shot and killed Dec. 25, 2003 in the 14000 block of Kornblum Avenue in Hawthorne, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

On the morning of the shooting, Knox’s wife took their son to Whetstone’s Hawthorne apartment after she and the victim had argued, according to Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office.

When Knox arrived at Whetstone's apartment he demanded to be let in to talk with his wife. He punched in the living room window and as he tried to enter the apartment he was shot and killed, Santiago said.

Knox was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:20 a.m.

Whetstone was arrested that day by Hawthorne police.

-- Maloy Moore

This is an update to an older Homicide Report entry. The Times is committed to reporting and updating past filings.

Alejandro Antonio Flores, a 50-year-old Latino, was fatally stabbed Saturday, June 7, in the 3700 block of South Western Avenue in Exposition Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 5 a.m., Flores was at an after-hours gathering inside a store front with about 25 other people when a fight broke out, said Los Angeles police Det. Sal LaBarbera.

Flores was stabbed multiple times along with a 36-year-old Latino, LaBarbera said.

Flores was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:32 a.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.

Two Latinos fled the scene after the stabbing. Detectives later located an additional victim, a 63-year-old Latino, who had also apparently been stabbed at the party.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-1383. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Joseph Alcaraz, a 17-year-old Latinomale, died Sunday, June 8, after being stabbed in Carson, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Trevor Andre Williams, a 33-year-old blackmale, died Friday, June 13, after being shot in Vermont Vista, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Aveion Curtis Bolden, a 20-year-old blackmale, died Friday, June 13, after being shot in Vermont Vista, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Jacinta Walker, a 18-year-old blackfemale, died Friday, June 13, after being shot in Vermont Vista, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

The Homicide Report has new details on 12 recent homicides in Los Angeles County. Click on the victim's name for more information.

Alejandro Antonio Flores, 50, who was shot and killed Saturday, June 7, in Exposition Park.

Tynisa Lagail Hicks, 37, who was shot and killed Saturday, June 7, in Westmont.

Clayton Mickel Shuford, 18, who was shot and killed Thursday, June 5, in Westmont. 

Christopher Hernandez, 19, who was shot and killed Thursday, June 5, on the border of East Hollywood and Silver Lake. 

Walter Battle, 24, who was shot and killed Thursday, June 5, in Westmont. 

Justin Scott Verano, 38, who was shot and killed Wednesday, June 4, in Montebello. 

Reginald Dewayne Pitts, 30, who was shot and killed Tuesday, June 3, in Chesterfield Square. 

John Benjamin Alvarado, 35, who was shot and killed Sunday, June 1, in Echo Park. 

Amparo Vazquez, 57, who was found dead Saturday, May 31, in Hawthorne. 

Richard Alan Wurtz, 37, who was shot and killed Friday, May 30. 

John Konelio Tagoai, 29, who was shot and killed Friday, May 30. 

Anthony Isaac Gryskiewicz, 30, who was shot and killed Thursday, May 29. 

Past cases:

A Los Angeles man in September 2013 was sentenced to life in state prison in the 2006 killing of his two stepdaughters in Manchester Square. 

A Hawthorne man in April 2005 was sentenced to seven years in state prison in the 2003 killing of his son-in-law in Hawthorne.

Tynisa Lagail Hicks, a 37-year-old black woman, was shot and killed Saturday, June 7, in the 1400 block of West 104th Street in Westmont, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly after midnight, Hicks and her husband were standing in front of their home when a dark-colored sedan pulled up, said Lt. Steve Jauch of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Two black men got out of the car and opened fire at the couple, who ran inside, Jauch said.

Hicks, who was hit by the gunfire, was pronounced dead at 12:25 a.m. at the scene, said Ed Winter, a spokesman with the coroner’s office. Her husband, Anthony Guyton, was not injured.

Guyton said he and his wife had just returned home from celebrating his birthday and were walking inside their home when the shooting occurred.

The couple have three children, including a girl who was planning to celebrate her eighth birthday that day. 

"My wife was a beautiful person," Guyton said. "I just lost my best friend. She's gone. Just like an empty hole in my heart. My kids just lost their mother. I have no explanation for that. None whatsoever."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz and Irfan Khan

LaQuita Suggs always had a fascination with the way people deal with death — even if her mother thought she was a little morbid.

While studying social work in college, Suggs volunteered to go to hospitals to talk to families in the moments after they had lost a loved one. When she later became a counselor, she worked with clients whose grief was sometimes difficult to comprehend.

There were the children whose father had shot their mother to death. In one grim moment, five siblings lost both their parents.