A man whom prosecutors described as a “serial killer-in-training” was once again sentenced to prison Friday for stabbing two strangers during a 2008 showing of a horror film at a Fullerton movie theater.

Steven Walter Robinson Jr., 31, was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for attempted murder with premeditation. It was the second time that Robinson was ordered to serve time behind bars; his previous conviction was overturned on appeal.

The attacks took place Feb. 24, 2008, after Robinson was kicked out of a showing of “The Signal” at an AMC Theater in Fullerton. He reportedly was caught trying to smuggle in alcohol and a bag of psychedelic mushrooms.

The Anaheim resident sneaked back into the theater, got up from his seat and attacked two other patrons with a double-edged knife.

Julio Sanchez, then 38, sustained stab wounds to his arm, chest, knee and head, along with a slash to his chest. Eloy Uresti, then 65, was cut on the arm and struck on the head with a hammer. The men did not know each other, and neither knew Robinson.

Sanchez and Uresti were able to escape into the lobby of the theater. During the ensuing pandemonium, Robinson escaped through a rear door.

Both of the men who had been attacked suffered permanent damage. Sanchez lost full mobility in one arm, while Uresti suffered nerve damage.

Police found Robinson a month after the attack, hiding out at his brother’s apartment in Las Vegas.

A search of Robinson’s residence turned up several books about serial killers and how they tortured and murdered their victims, authorities said. His home computer contained postings on MySpace sent from Robinson to his friends – under the screen name “psychokiller666” – about killing and mass murder. His MySpace status reportedly was listed as “SteveNputsaknifeinyou.”

During his 2009 trial, Robinson’s attorney argued that his client couldn’t have formed the intent to kill or acted with premeditation because he was intoxicated on alcohol and high on mushrooms. The attorney said that Robinson had been hallucinating when he attacked the two men.

An Orange County Superior Court jury found Robinson guilty, but the verdict was overturned by an appeals court.

The appeals court judges concluded that the jury had not been properly instructed on how mental disorders can impact a defendant’s mental state and his or her ability to form intent. They also noted that Robinson was “very mentally impaired” and had a “severe psychiatric disorder.”

Robinson was retried in August and once again convicted. During his first sentencing hearing in 2009, Robinson apologized for his actions, describing the night of the attacks as a “horrible nightmare” and claiming he would never forgive himself.