San Diego, California Talk Radio Station - 760 KFMB AM - 760kfmbPreliminary hearing rescheduled for mother accused of killing boyfriend

Preliminary hearing rescheduled for mother accused of killing boyfriend

CHULA VISTA (CNS) - A change of attorneys prompted a judge Thursday to reschedule a preliminary hearing to March 29 for a woman accused of fatally stabbing her fiancé during an argument over his alleged infidelity.

Xochilt Tobon, 26, is charged with murder in the Jan. 3 death of 24-year-old Tyler Henderson.

According to Deputy District Attorney Amy Colby, the defendant told police that she was chopping onions in the kitchen when the argument began and she retrieved a large butcher knife and confronted the victim.

Tobon, who is in the Navy, maintained that the knife accidentally hit Henderson in the chest during the confrontation. But the knife plunged five inches into the victim's chest and no chopped onions were found, the prosecutor said at the defendant's arraignment.

Tobon's sister, who lived with her sibling at the Chula Vista apartment, took the couple's year-old child and her own 4-year-old to a back room, Colby said.

The sister told police that Tobon and Henderson struggled, and during that struggle, he lifted his shirt to reveal that he was bleeding, according to the prosecutor.

Henderson died at a hospital about an hour later.

Deputy Public Defender Debby Kirkwood said Tobon had no record and suffered from battered woman syndrome. The attorney alleged Tobon was the victim of prior domestic violence at the hands of Henderson and a man from a previous relationship.

Last September, a disturbance between Henderson and Tobon at the residence led to his arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence, according to Chula Vista police Capt. Gary Wedge.

Tobon faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.