After deliberating for less than two hours, a Houston jury convicted Ana Trujillo of murdering Dr. Steffan Andersson in what has become known as the "Texas Stiletto Trial." Associated Press reporter Juan Lozano tweets that Trujillo showed no visible reaction as the verdict was read.
In a case that has made international headlines, prosecutors claimed Trujillo, 46, stabbed Andersson 25 times in the face and neck with a 5-1/2-inch heel during an argument last summer at the victim's Museum District condominium. Harris County assistant district attorney Sarah Mickelson compared the crime scene to a horror film, noting that police initially thought Andersson — a 59-year-old researcher and professor at the University of Houston — had been shot in the face.
Lawyers for Trujillo claimed she acted in self-defense, using the only weapon she had available to fight off a man they portrayed as an abusive alcoholic. The defense team also maintained that the murder weapon was more of a platform-heeled shoe than a pointed spiked heel. The size 9 blue suede shoe was exhibited to the jury during testimony about the bloody crime scene.
The case has fascinated Houstonians, who have carefully followed every twist and turn in the trial of the former local TV host.
The trial now moves on to the punishment phase, which begins Wednesday. Trujillo could be sentenced to up to life in prison.
Ana Trujillo showed little reaction as she heard that jurors convicted her of murder.
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Photo by Leonid Furmansky