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Woman Gets 30-90 Years In Cemetery Stabbing

GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ/AP) - A woman who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the stabbing death of her boyfriend during an argument in a West Michigan cemetery has been sentenced to 30 to 90 years in prison.

Thirty-four-year-old Christina Kipkorir was sentenced Thursday in Kent County Circuit Court in Grand Rapids. She faced up to life in prison after earlier entering the plea.

Defense lawyer Richard Hillary told The Grand Rapids Press that Kipkorir never contested that she stabbed Shields and his client wasn't surprised by the sentence.

Kipkorir told police that she stabbed 67-year-old Robert Shields in self-defense last June in Oak Hill Cemetery. She said the two went to the cemetery to exchange money when Shields engaged in unwanted "touching." Kipkorir told police she grabbed a knife off the minivan floor, as Shields moved into a seat next to her.

A forensic pathologist said Shields had been stabbed 17 times. Kipkorir, who has previously served more than 10 jail sentences, was on district court probation at the time of the stabbing.

TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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