A Mesa man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the 2009 death of his girlfriend.
Maricopa County prosecutors say 23-year-old Dartanion Terrial Stroud was sentenced Friday for second-degree murder.
Mesa police say Stroud was arrested for allegedly strangling 26-year-old Angelita Francisca Montano, who had an order of protection against him.
Stroud was taken into custody on Dec. 6, 2009, at a Mesa hospital where he took Montano’s lifeless body for treatment.
Police say the woman had heavy bruising around the neck area and other injuries consistent with strangulation.
They say Stroud admitted to being there when the victim’s face turned purple, but claimed to have no idea what caused it.
Police records show Stroud and Montano had a history of domestic violence leading to her protection order.
