Woman's sentence in slaying of ex-lover: two terms of 25 years to life
A Palmdale woman was sentenced Wednesday to two consecutive 25-year-to-life prison terms after shooting a woman with whom she had a romantic relationship, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
On Aug. 13, a jury found Larene Eleanor Austin, a 33-year-old black woman, guilty of one count of first-degree murder and using a gun to kill Lanell Barsock, 29.
Austin and Barsock met through Craigslist personal ads in May 2010. A month later, Barsock ended the relationship so she could focus on her relationship with her boyfriend, Louis Bonheuer. On June 16, 2010, Austin went to Barsock’s house and fatally shot her in the head, according to court testimony.
Austin attempted to frame Bonheuer for the killing and later fled to Belize when investigators confirmed the man's alibi. In January 2012, Austin was arrested and extradited to the U.S. for trial.
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