Yesterday, a judge sentenced 31-year-old Ziyah Jay Patterson to 26 years to life in state prison for fatally stabbing his girlfriend, 42-year-old Angela Marie Lanway, in San Marcos. The stabbing happened on Dec. 26, 2023. Lanway was taken to a hospital after the attack and later died. The sentencing came after Patterson's jury conviction earlier this year.
Sentence and prosecutor reaction
Jurors found Patterson guilty of first-degree murder and a special allegation that he used a knife, which opened the door to the 26-years-to-life term. As reported by Times of San Diego, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said, "Too often circumstances surrounding domestic violence are made even more dangerous when people are living in vulnerable conditions like being homeless." The DA's office said the sentence reflects prosecutors' view that Lanway's life deserved justice.
Prosecutors' account of the attack
According to prosecutors, the violence started with an argument after Lanway asked Patterson to turn down his music. Things escalated when he demanded the return of a gift that court papers identified as a blanket. Citing court documents, Times of San Diego reports that Patterson beat and stabbed Lanway multiple times, leaving wounds to her ear and neck. He later called 911 and said, "she threw something at me. i was scared. i stabbed her in the side of the head." The San Diego County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to the 100 block of North Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos.
Trial and verdict
A Vista jury convicted Patterson in February, finding him guilty of first-degree murder and the knife-use allegation. According to The Coast News, jurors returned their verdict on Feb. 20, and Patterson then awaited sentencing at the end of April. That conviction left him facing a potential sentence of 26 years to life in prison.
Context and aftermath
During the trial, Patterson testified that he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors countered that he had no injuries and argued that Lanway had existing medical issues that affected her walking and vision, according to local coverage by 10News. Hoodline previously covered the December 2023 killing in its earlier homicide coverage, noting that deputies identified the victim and arrested a suspect at the scene. With a 26-years-to-life sentence now in place, Patterson faces decades in prison before he can be considered for parole.
