Woman who stabbed man sentenced to 16 years

A woman who killed an 18-year-old man with a knife in the Hotel Huntington Beach was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison Friday.

Samantha Elizabeth Rothwell, 21, of Valencia, was convicted in April of second-degree murder of Walter Rivas of Palmdale with a sentencing enhancement for using a deadly weapon.

Rothwell and Rivas were at a birthday party in the hotel Aug. 15, 2006, when Rivas angered Rothwell by saying he had “seen God” last time he was in Huntington Beach, according to prosecutors.

“I’m the devil, and don’t talk about God or I’ll stab you,” Rothwell reportedly said to him, then walked away, coming back with a knife, authorities said.

She stabbed him in the back and neck, then told the 10 other people at the party it was “no big deal” and to “get over it” before she fled, prosecutors said.

— Michael Alexander