A Lancaster man convicted of attempted murder and aggravated mayhem for slitting the throat of a tow truck driver trying to repair a flat tire in Palmdale was sentenced Wednesday to eight years to life in state prison.
Favian Eduardo Zayas, 23, was found guilty May 3 of the Nov. 14, 2016 attack near 10th Street West and Avenue N, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Jurors also found true allegations that Zayas used a box cutter in the commission of the attack and that the victim suffered great bodily injury.
Zayas had been arguing with his father that day about the younger Zayas leaving home for drug rehabilitation, according to Ricardo Santiago of the district attorney's office.
Zayas -- who went with his father to help the father's boss with a flat tire -- slit the tow truck driver's throat from ear to ear with a box cutter as the man worked on the tire, according to evidence presented during his trial.
A nearby Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant provided immediate aid to the victim, who was taken to a hospital soon afterward, according to Deputy District Attorney Steven Mac.
The victim was permanently disfigured, suffered damage to his vocal cords and lost mobility in his neck, Santiago said.
