'Shoe Lady' Murderer Sentenced to 16 Years to Life
The former boyfriend of world record shoe collector and Menifee resident Darlene Flynn was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison today, ...
http://www.menifee247.com/2016/07/shoe-lady-murderer-sentenced-to-16-years-to-life.html
Justin Charles Smith, 32, was convicted of murdering Flynn at her home on July 22, 2013 by beating her with a baseball bat. Her lifeless body was found in her back yard swimming pool by first responders. Smith was apprehended a short distance away and was charged with second-degree murder.
Before rendering the sentence, Riverside Superior Court judge Michael Donner spoke of the extremely violent nature of the murder.
Donner said the murder was committed in a "very personal way" by Smith when he beat the victim to death with a bat.
"The personal manner of that is shocking to me," said Donner, adding that as a judge, he’s never seen a murder as personal as this.
Flynn, 58, gained national fame for her world-record shoe collection, which numbered more than 15,000 shoes and shoe-related items. Friends and family members said the two had been in a turbulent relationship for several years.
