Seattle man sentenced for stabbing death of estranged wife

A Seattle man who killed his estranged wife with a barbecue fork in front of two of her five children last year was sentenced Thursday to 23 ½ years in prison.

Juan Carlos Bonilla, 34, showed little emotion during the four-hour sentencing hearing in King County Superior Court, but sobs erupted when his 16-year-old stepdaughter and his sister-in-law testified about victim Debra Bonilla, 38. A video was shown that included footage of one of the couple's two children who witnessed the April 18, 2008, attack in Debra Bonilla's South Seattle backyard.

The children were 4 and 5 years old at the time. They are now living with their aunt in Minnesota.

Debra Bonilla, 38, also had three other children from a previous marriage.

Juan Carlos Bonilla apologized for the slaying, which he blamed on rage and his addictions to alcohol and drugs. He had pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic-violence murder July 2, and faced between about 13 and 21 years in prison under the standard sentencing range.

The King County Prosecutor's Office asked for an exceptional sentence, arguing that it was appropriate because the slaying happened in front of the children and because of Bonilla's history of domestic violence. The defense had asked for a sentence of 16 years.

"Whether it was premeditated or not, the end result is the same," the victim's brother, Steve Hamilton, testified. "My mother is never going to see her daughter again. My sisters will not see their sister again and Debbie's five incredible children won't see their mother again."

Debra Bonilla's family urged Judge Michael J. Fox to issue the harshest sentence possible.

Before the attack, Debra Bonilla had been granted a domestic-violence protection order, barring her estranged husband from coming near her and her children, according to court charging documents.

Bonilla had prior convictions in Alaska, Minnesota and Seattle related to domestic-violence incidents involving his wife.

Police were called to Debra Bonilla's home in the 1800 block of South State Street after a neighbor found the injured woman on the ground with a 13-inch barbecue fork nearby, court papers said. Debra Bonilla was semiconscious when she told officers that she was attacked by her estranged husband.

She had been stabbed 17 times.

Emily Ginsberg, the slain woman's 16-year-old daughter, testified that her mother and stepfather often got into brutal fights, especially when they were drinking. Debra Bonilla's family said that the woman had been trying to end her relationship with Bonilla when she was killed.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com