Man sentenced to 23 years for deadly stabbing of transgender woman

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A California man was sentenced to 23 years in prison for the deadly stabbing of a transgender woman.

The Fresno Bee reports Richard Joseph Lopez was sentenced Wednesday in Fresno County Superior Court after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter.

Lopez stabbed 66-year-old Kenton Craig Haggard in her throat on a Fresno street in 2015.

The attack was captured on surveillance video. It shows a silver SUV approach Haggard, who then staggers away and later collapses.

Police found her slumped against a sidewalk pole.

Her brother, Gerald Clarke Haggard, says he’s pleased that the “violent man without a conscience” is behind bars.

Lopez could be eligible for parole in 17 years.