A Texas man, 29-year-old Irbin, was sentenced to more than 70 years in prison for shooting his 22-year-old fiancée after she decided to break up with him. He will have to serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. Prosecutors revealed that the victim, 16-year-old Lordes, took her own life because she wanted to end the relationship, following previous threats from the defendant, including an incident where he held a gun to her face.
Court documents show that the defendant and victim had been together for a year when she expressed her desire to end the relationship. Investigators found that she had planned to break up with him after he threatened her with a firearm.
Prosecutors presented evidence of their communications, where the victim responded, “When you were about to shoot me,” after the defendant asked if she would stay with him. He also messaged her, saying he had pointed the weapon at her face but lowered it when he believed she was serious. In response, she said, “She’s never talking to him again.”
Moments later, the victim sent a photo of the defendant holding a gun to his face. Shortly after, she went outside to meet a friend in a car. As she approached, her friend saw the defendant emerge from the shadows and shoot her in the head. The police soon arrested him. Prosecutors noted that just five minutes after the victim ended the relationship, the defendant killed her.
Prosecutors described the defendant as a predator who preyed on the young girl throughout their year-long relationship. A five-day trial in November led to a murder conviction, and on Tuesday, the judge sentenced him to 75 years in prison after he chose to seek punishment.
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