In a stern rebuke to domestic violence, Arturo Ulloa, 43, received a hefty sentence of 50 years to life after a San Diego judge ruled on a case that has shaken the community. According to the District Attorney’s news release, Ulloa was convicted in January for a series of violent crimes, including premeditated attempted murder and child endangerment.
Found guilty after terrorizing his girlfriend by first strangling her and then savaging her with a knife, Ulloa was not new to the criminal justice system. Spotted with 11 prior armed robbery convictions, this latest stint will likely keep him behind bars for the remainder of his days. The attack, where his girlfriend was stabbed over 20 times, unfolded in the harrowing gaze of their young children, aged 4 and 7, who then sought help from a neighbor.
Describing the attack as "vicious," DA Summer Stephan was reported by the District Attorney’s office, saying, "It’s incredible that she survived the attack and a testament to her resiliency and bravery that she was able to testify during the trial. Today, a measure of justice has been delivered." The victim’s survival after such a brutal attack is nothing short of miraculous.
San Diego County’s law enforcement was alerted by the heinous nature of the attack, where strangulation is highlighted as a common thread in domestic abuse cases. Crafting a Strangulation Protocol, the county's system aims to ensure that victims get the uniform detection, documentation, and response required for dealing with such stealthy and lethal attacks. The assault attempts were thwarted, with Ulloa later trying to carjack other victim in a desperate escape bid.
If you or someone you know is facing abuse, San Diego's District Attorney's office urges contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. For additional support, the North County Family Justice Center offers an array of services through OneSafePlaceNorth.org, catering to survivors of not only domestic violence but other abusive situations as well.
