Las Vegas man found guilty of stabbing death of ex-girlfriend

SCREEN CAPTURE / YOUTUBE

MIKAYLA RHINER

THE KILLER of a Filipina American was found guilty of first-degree murder last week and faces life imprisonment.

BRANDON HANSEN

Family and friends of MaKayla Rhiner wept and hugged as Brandon Hansen, 34, of Las Vegas was convicted of first-degree murder Friday in her fatal stabbing in August of 2017.

“We’ve all held our breaths for the last 11 months,” Rhiner's mother, Lynn Pingol, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “And this was our big exhale.”

Hanson faces life in prison without the possibility of parole at a sentencing set for Aug. 7, a almost a year after Rhiner’s slaying.

Reiner and Hanson had dated a few times. During the trial, Hanson's lawyer said his client was despondent after a breakup and the slaying was not premeditated.

“I cannot comment on him, I do not know him. I only saw him in court. Justice should prevail for whatever he did,” said Makayla’s grandmother, Dr. Ludmilla Pingol, after the verdict. “And I thank the Filipino community for giving us all the support, and all our friends and family to help us cope.”

Hanson's sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 7. He faces is  life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. 

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