Judge finds Buffalo Grove woman guilty of 2017 stabbing
Rejecting her claims of self-defense, a judge on Wednesday found a 27-year-old Buffalo Grove woman guilty of stabbing her then-girlfriend's male friend during a dispute last year.
Cook County Judge Steven Goebel made clear what he thought of Nancy Balladares' explanation for stabbing the man in the head and neck on April 15, 2017: "I do not believe your testimony at all. Self-defense does not apply in this case even if I did believe your testimony, which I do not."
Goebel found Balladares, whom he described as angry and hotheaded, guilty of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery. But the judge acquitted her of a more serious attempted first-degree murder charge, saying he was "not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that (she) intended to kill (the man)," who previously dated Balladares' girlfriend.
Goebel noted that while the weapon - a butcher knife - was heavy, Balladares did not wield it with great force, as evidenced by the man's "not extensive" wounds.
Balladares, who gave birth to her second child about two weeks ago, was ordered held pending her next court appearance Nov. 5.
Former girlfriend Lourdes Paulina Cazares described her relationship with Balladares as "rocky," saying her former girlfriend previously threatened her and the victim, "used hurtful words" and threatened to tell Cazares' children their mother was a lesbian.
"I would keep quiet because I was very afraid of her," Cazares said.
They argued about ending their relationship while driving home from a restaurant, Cazares testified. The argument continued at their apartment, prompting Cazares to call police about 1:50 a.m., she said.
After responding officers left, Cazares said, Balladares got a knife and began sharpening it against the bottom of a cup. Concerned, the victim took away the knife, but Balladares retrieved another from the kitchen and stabbed the man, Cazares testified.
During the ensuing struggle, they fell to the floor, where Cazares and one of her children helped the man hold Balladares until police returned, Cazares testified.
But Balladares testified the man was intoxicated when she and Cazares returned home from dinner. Feeling uncomfortable, she packed a bag intending to leave the apartment, but not before telling Cazares' daughter they were girlfriends, she testified.
"It was a mean thing to do at that moment," Balladares said.
Cazares began crying and the victim became angry and knocked away the phone Balladares was using to call a friend, she testified. She said the man "came at" her so she grabbed a knife from the kitchen sink and stabbed him.