Woman convicted of murder for Pomona stabbing

WEST COVINA -- A woman who fatally stabbed a perceived romantic rival two years ago at a Pomona mental-health facility has been convicted of first-degree murder.

Nicole Ann Stewart, 35, was convicted March 7 in West Covina Superior Court after a two-day trial in which five witnesses testified about the killing of Robin Ridgeway.

Ridgeway, 49, died July 23, 2009 following Stewart's attack at Hamilton Villa, 948 S. Hamilton Blvd.

Three days after the guilty verdict, the jury found that Stewart was sane at the time of Ridgeway's killing. Stewart is scheduled to be sentenced March 30.

According to testimony from witnesses at a preliminary hearing, Stewart killed Ridgeway because she believed Ridgeway was having an affair with her boyfriend. All three were residents of Hamilton Villa.

In the days before the incident, Stewart reportedly complained to staff members at the facility that her medication was ineffective and she feared she would hurt someone.

At about 4 p.m. the day of the incident, Stewart attacked Ridgeway in an outdoor area of the facility as Ridgeway was speaking to another resident and a psychologist.

Stewart said, "Take that," and, "Don't mess with my husband," as she stabbed Ridgeway in the back with a foot-long blade, according testimony from witnesses.

Stewart remains jailed without bail at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.