Thornton Teen Gets 36 Years In Prison For Fatal Stabbing

BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) — A Thornton teenager who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the stabbing death of another teen has been sentenced to 36 years in prison.

The Adams County District Attorney's Office says 18-year-old Matthew James Trujillo was sentenced Thursday for the Jan. 4, 2014, death of 18-year-old Anthony Benavidez. Trujillo was 17 at the time of the attack but was tried as an adult.

He was accused of luring Benavidez to a basketball court after becoming angry that Benavidez was contacting his sister and his girlfriend. Trujillo was armed with metallic knuckles with a built-in blade and stabbed Benavidez in the throat.

Benavidez died in the arms of his mother, who had gone to the park looking for him.

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