A 57-year-old Windsor man will spend years behind bars for a brutal attack on his ex-girlfriend in her Santa Rosa home.
According to the Press Democrat, on Wednesday, a Sonoma County judge sentenced Joseph Romo to life in prison plus five years. The sentencing follows a May 2024 incident where Romo broke into the victim’s Bennett Valley home while she slept and beat her with a baton-like weapon. The victim suffered a skull fracture and spent months in rehabilitation.
Prosecutors say the attack was stopped only when the victim’s teenage son heard her screams and fought Romo off. Investigators linked Romo to the crime through DNA found on a discarded bag and transit footage showing him fleeing the scene on a bicycle.
District Attorney Carla Rodriguez called the assault “incredibly violent” and expressed hope that Romo serves a sentence commensurate with the victim’s suffering. Romo, who represented himself during the trial, has already filed a notice of appeal. He will be eligible for parole in seven years.