Robert Wayne Murray, 61, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2020 murder of his former girlfriend, Jenie Barbato. CBS12 News reports that a Palm Beach County judge handed Murray consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and armed burglary.
According to trial testimony, Murray bypassed the guard gate at Century Village, a retirement community, and attacked Barbato in her condo, where she was beaten and stabbed 11 times. Murray had previously served time for violent crimes, including burglary and assault, and had been released from prison six months before the murder. CBS12 News reported that Barbato’s daughter, Adriana Busby, addressed the court about her family’s loss.
The Palm Beach Post reported that Barbato, a heart-transplant survivor who was 4 feet 9 inches tall, had filed a report with authorities after receiving a threatening voicemail from Murray three weeks before her death. During sentencing yesterday, Murray’s defense cited his diagnosed mental illnesses, including schizoaffective disorder and antisocial personality disorder, in seeking leniency.
The Palm Beach Post noted that despite testimony from Dr. Ivette Cardelli-Rosen of the Palm Beach County Jail about Murray’s mental health conditions, the court imposed consecutive life sentences.
