Stanfield pleads guilty to 2015 East Providence Mother’s Day murder

Christine Santurri was stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend at her home

By Mike Rego
Posted 5/24/17

PROVIDENCE — The perpetrator in the murder of a city woman on Mother’s Day 2015 acknowledged guilt and accepted a life sentence during proceedings Wednesday morning, May 24, in Superior …

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Stanfield pleads guilty to 2015 East Providence Mother’s Day murder

Christine Santurri was stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend at her home

Posted

PROVIDENCE — The perpetrator in the murder of a city woman on Mother’s Day 2015 acknowledged guilt and accepted a life sentence during proceedings Wednesday morning, May 24, in Superior Court.

Yuland Stanfield, aka Yuland Stansfield, 45 and of Providence, pleaded guilty to the May 10, 2015 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend, 42-year-old Christine Santurri of East Providence.

Mr. Stanfield did so before Justice Sarah Taft-Carter and in front of distraught family members of the victim, some of whom spoke during the sentencing.

Mr. Stanfield pleaded to one count of first degree murder, domestic, and two counts of violating a restraining order, third offense domestic. Under the terms of the plea, Mr. Stanfield was sentenced to life in prison on the count of murder and 10 years each on the counts of violating a restraining order. The sentences will run concurrently.

According to findings of the East Providence Police investigation led by Lieutenant Raymond Blinn and Detective Matt McNulty, Mr. Stanfield fatally stabbed Ms. Santurri, a mother of three, at her home on Providence Street at approximately 11 a.m. the day of the incident. The victim had a restraining order against the suspect. At the time, police said Ms. Santurii’s 21-year-old daughter witnessed the tragedy.

According to EPPD report, officers were called to the scene at 11:10 a.m. Mr. Stanfield attempted to flee the scene through the woods before he was ultimately apprehended in the muddy waters off Bullocks Cove. East Providence Police Chief Christopher Parella said then officers had previously responded to domestic disturbance calls at the same address.

According to a statement from Attorney General’s office penned last week, had the case proceeded to trial the state was prepared to prove Mr. Stanfield killed Ms. Santurri. Presenting more details about the day of the incident, prosecutors said Mr. Stanfield, in violation of the restraining order, sent multiple texts to Ms. Santurri, many being threatening in nature. He later took a bus from Providence to East Providence and waited for Ms. Santurri in the apartment complex where she resided. After returning from a visit with her mother, Ms. Santurri was attacked by Mr. Stanfield. He forced her inside her apartment and stabbed her multiple times in the head and torso.

Following Wednesday’s proceedings, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin wrote in a statement, “Mother’s Day is a day for families to celebrate, thank and treasure moms like Christine Santurri, a mother of three loving children. Tragically, the defendant shattered that day with unconscionable rage and violence. His violence has left a grieving family struggling to understand why this happened and a son who doesn’t understand why his mother – his best friend – is no longer there. While today’s sentencing closes a chapter in this case, it can never heal the wounds of grief and loss felt by those who knew and loved Christine.”

Assistant Attorney General and chief of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit Daniel Guglielmo prosecuted the case.

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Mike Rego

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.