| For Immediate Release Case # 07HF0707
July 24, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
ESTRANGED HUSBAND CONVICTED OF STABBING AND MURDERING MOTHER OF HIS THREE YOUNG SONS
SANTA ANA – An estranged husband who attacked his wife in front of their three young children was convicted today of stabbing and murdering the victim in her Irvine home. Terry Raymond Snyder Jr., 48, Irvine, pleaded guilty today to one felony count of second degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon and faces a sentence of 15 years to life in state prison. The family will have an opportunity to make victim impact statements at Snyder’s sentencing on Aug. 7, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-35, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Following a guilty plea in January 2007 to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge, Snyder had a protective order issued against him, barring him from having any violent contact with his wife, Yolanda Snyder. Shortly thereafter, the victim filed for divorce. The couple shared custody of three young sons, ages 2, 4, and 7 years old.
On April 7, 2007, Snyder drove to the Irvine home of his estranged wife and their three children. After going inside the home, the defendant became angry with Yolanda Snyder and put her in a head lock as she held their 2-year-old son in her arms. The three children ran from their home to a neighbor’s house and the neighbor called 9-1-1.
Once the children had left the house, Snyder murdered the victim by stabbing her repeatedly with a kitchen knife. He then fled the scene. Upon seeing Snyder leave, the neighbor went to check on Yolanda Snyder and found her lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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