Man Convicted Of Girlfriend’s Murder Could Face Life In Prison

A man convicted today of second-degree murder in the strangulation death of his girlfriend in her motor home in Desert Hot Springs could be sentenced to life in prison.

Pietro Saintis, 50, was found guilty in the Nov. 8, 2006, slaying of 45- year-old Donna Jean Bodkin, who was found dead in her motor home near 10805 Palm Drive.

The 11-man, one-woman jury deliberated for about two hours before arriving at a verdict.

Saintis, who maintained the killing was unintentional, faces 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced July 16.

A juror, 44-year-old Matt Delaney of Palm Desert, said outside of court that the panel did not believe Saintis was credible when he took the witness stand in his own defense.

“Some of the story just didn’t lead up to what took place,” Delaney said.

Deputy District Attorney Arthur Hester said he was glad the jury didn’t believe the defendant’s version of events.

“She died a painful death. No one should have to endure what she went through,” Hester said.

Saintis’ attorney, Jim Silva, said the jury did not follow the law and that he would most likely file a motion for a new trial.

“It’s quite apparent the jury looked at the injuries to the victim and sympathized on her behalf rather than relying on the law,” Silva said. “This was something that was clearly outside of what he believed that he could do.”

Prosecutors said Saintis got angry when Bodkin would not agree to participate in a threesome, and that he became enraged when another man knocked on her door.

Silva argued that although Saintis admitted killing the woman, he didn’t do it on purpose and should be convicted of manslaughter instead of murder.

Testifying in his own defense Tuesday, Saintis said he remembered Bodkin screaming for help and asking him to stop beating her.

Silva asked his client why he didn’t stop the beating.

“I was just in a rage, an uncontrollable, stupid rage,” Saintis said.

He said he did not remember strangling Bodkin, but stopped hitting her “when she became still.”

Bodkin left behind two daughters, a son and several grandchildren.

The victim’s sister, Shirley Bodkin, said outside of court she believed justice was served through the verdict.

“I made a promise I would stay by this case to the very end,” Shirley Bodkin said. “I got my wish.”