Case # 12WF2895
Date: May 22, 2015
MAN SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ATTEMPTING TO MURDER FEMALE JOGGER BY STABBING HER MULTIPLE TIMES
WESTMINSTER – A man was sentenced today to 13years in state prison for the attempted murder of a female jogger by stabbing her multiple times. James Anthony Rivas, 20, Rossmoor, was found guilty by a jury on April 3, 2015, of one felony count each of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and mayhem, with sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury and the personal use of a deadly weapon.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2012, Rivas, then 18 years old, approached 27-year-old Jane Doe, who was jogging through a residential neighborhood in Rossmoor.
Rivas ran up behind Jane Doe who turned around and confronted the defendant. Rivas then stabbed Jane Doe multiple times with a knife as he knocked her to the ground and got on top of her. The defendant cut the victim’s face, back, arm, and hand. Jane Doe knocked the knife out of his hand and Rivas fled the scene after a neighbor heard screaming and came outside. Jane Doe was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
On Oct. 25, 2012, Orange County Sheriff’s Department detectives, who investigated this case, arrested Rivas.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Brett Brian of the Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted this case.