Upland woman accused of murdering husband rejects plea deal
An Upland woman accused of murdering her husband with a sword rejected a plea deal from prosecutors Wednesday that included more than a decade in prison.
Naomi Valdivia, 33, is accused of stabbing 36-year-old Jose Luis Gonzales on April 26, 2008 in the family's apartment in the 800 block of West Orchid Court.
Deputy District Attorney Ted Smith said he offered Valdivia a plea bargain that included 13 years, 4 months in prison.
"It's a straight murder charge now -- 25 to life," Smith said after Valdivia's attorney told the court Valdivia was rejecting the offer.
According to her relatives, Valdivia believes she will be found not guilty by a jury.
"I know that the court, acting in the interest of justice, is going to find that she indeed was a victim," said Lydia Arias, Valdivia's sister.
Arias said Valdivia, a mother of six, was acting in self defense the day her husband was killed.
"She was beaten that night," Arias said. "He brandished a weapon, his own personal weapon in the house that night, came at her with it and assaulted her with it first."
Valdivia is scheduled to next appear in court Jan. 21 for a preliminary hearing, where the first testimony in Valdivia's case will likely be heard.
we are all praying for her she's my aunt and we love her......
She has xrays of broken bones from her husband! He beat her with her children there.