A man was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday in the fatal stabbing and mutilation of his physician boyfriend in their West Hollywood residence.
Andre Davids, 38, was earlier convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the March 2015 death of his boyfriend, 34-year-old Kurtland Ma, at their apartment in the 900 block of Palm Avenue.
Davids' attorneys argued that the crime was one of passion, and that the jury should decide on a manslaughter charge instead of murder. They also said his judgment was impaired because he ingested drugs.
The reduced charge spared Davids a potential life prison sentence. In a statement read in court Thursday, he said he was sorry.
Family members had called for a murder charge. They described Ma at Thursday's hearing as a happy person and caring physician who was kind to family and friends.
His brother directly addressed Davids.
"When anyone, including your family, looks at you, the first thing they will see is a murderer," said Wayland Ma, the victim's brother. "You will never escape the evil you carry inside of you, and people will know."
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Authorities said the attack stemmed from a dispute over infidelity. Ma was stabbed and scalped, and some of his organs had been removed, according to investigators.
Davids was found hiding in the apartment bathroom when law enforcement officers arrived.
