NEWMAN — A Stanislaus County jury has convicted Christopher Torrez, 48, of Newman, of murder with the use of a deadly weapon in the 2018 stabbing death of his girlfriend, Sonia Gonzalez, prosecutors announced Friday.

District Attorney Jeff Laugero said Torrez faces life in prison when sentenced on Sept. 19.

The conviction stems from a violent incident on Nov. 21, 2018, when Torrez became enraged and struck Gonzalez in the face, causing her eye to swell shut and leaving a laceration on her nose. He then retrieved a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her seven times at the front door of their residence as she attempted to escape, according to prosecutors.

After the attack, Torrez fled the scene. Other occupants of the home heard Gonzalez screaming and rushed to help. Despite suffering fatal wounds, Gonzalez was able to tell responders that Torrez had stabbed her.

Newman police officers responded immediately after a 911 call was placed. Officers soon received a description of the vehicle Torrez had fled in and located him nearby. When they attempted a traffic stop, Torrez led officers on a brief pursuit and reportedly told them, “You’re going to have to shoot me, I’m not going back to jail.” He was eventually apprehended without further incident.

Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Melissa Chichportich prosecuted the case. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.