Robert Wayne Murray (Palm Beach County Sheriff”s Office).
A Florida man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after repeatedly stabbing his girlfriend to death, court records show.
In August, Robert Wayne Murray, 60, was found guilty by a jury of his peers in Palm Beach County on one count each of murder in the first degree with a deadly weapon and burglary while armed.
On Friday, the defendant was sentenced to two sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole over the September 2020 slaying of Jenie Barbato, 63. Those sentences were directed to run consecutively, or one after another, by Circuit Judge Sarah Willis.
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On Sept. 14, 2020, Murray snuck past a guarded entrance to the Century Village retirement community in West Palm Beach and then broke through a window in Barbato’s apartment.
In the ensuing violence, the since-condemned man used a large butcher’s knife to slaughter his onetime girlfriend – stabbing her 11 times in the upper back and torso, authorities determined.
The violence was apparently fueled by resentment that Barbato had stopped talking to the man, evidence suggested.
In a 911 call, a man told the dispatcher Murray was “upset that his girlfriend stopped talking to him, and he wanted to kill himself.” Investigators determined the killer himself made that call, according to court documents obtained by Tequesta-based ABC affiliate WPBF.
Law enforcement also learned the defendant had previously texted two other people to try and convince them to contact Barbato, according to an incident report obtained by WPBF in 2020.
At the time, Barbato had blocked Murray’s number. While relaying his silent treatment and asking for the outreach, Murray sent the message: “Okay thanks if she don’t do it watch the news.”
Authorities were familiar with Barbato and Murray after a series of reported domestic incidents, law enforcement said at the time.
On the night of the murder, deputies performed a welfare check after a neighbor saw the broken window of Barbato’s apartment.
Upon arrival, law enforcement noted blood on the window lock and on the front door. The result of the crime was visible through the window – the slain woman was lying facedown on the floor in a pool of blood.
Family members were thankful the lengthy process of formal justice had finally run its course.
“I am filled with so much emotion,” one of Barbato’s daughters told West Palm Beach-based CBS affiliate WPEC after the sentencing hearing. “It’s been five years — five very long years — but we have come to a resolution.”
Barbato was also remembered fondly.
“She’s a beautiful, wonderful, caring mom,” another daughter told WPEC. “She is my heart, my everything. Ten years ago, she had a heart transplant at Emory University. This month is her 10-year heart transplant anniversary. Today should have been a celebration.”
