37-Year-Old Woman Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Aggravated Assault

PHOENIX—Christina Janay, 37, of Bapchule, Ariz., was sentenced here yesterday to 48 months in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell. Janay pleaded guilty on February 26, 2009 to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Aid and Abet.

On April 12, 2008, Janay and co-defendants Augustine Thomas (Janay’s boyfriend) and Joshua Phillips went to the home of the victim. Janay and Thomas believed that the victim had spread rumors that the victim was sexually involved with Janay.

When the group came to the victim’s home, the victim grabbed a garden hoe and came outside to the vehicle. Accounts differ as to who was the initial aggressor, but eventually Thomas began to stab the victim with a knife. Phillips got the hoe from the victim and began to strike the victim with it. Janay got out of the vehicle and kicked the victim during the assault. The victim died as a result of the injuries sustained.

Phillips pleaded guilty on April 28, 2009, to Second Degree Murder and is pending sentencing set for July 31, 2009. Thomas is pending trial.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Sharon Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

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