Man accused of beating, stabbing ex-wife in child custody exchange
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A 48-year-old man who allegedly stabbed his ex-wife during a child custody exchange in Burbank on Wednesday was arrested after witnesses intervened and held the suspect down, police said.
The man -- identified by police as Trino Godinez -- was meeting his ex-wife near San Fernando Boulevard and Buena Vista Street about 8 a.m. to exchange their two children, Burbank Police Officer Joshua Kendrick said.
Both children were in a car with their mother.
During the meeting, Godinez allegedly took out a handgun and forced the woman out of the driver’s seat and took control of the car.
While driving away, Godinez was allegedly hitting the woman, who was in the passenger seat.
She attempted to flee by getting out of the car, but he followed her out, police said.
He then allegedly held her down and began stabbing her with a knife.
Nearby witnesses rushed over and reportedly wrestled with Godinez, tying him down until police arrived.
The woman, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital for treatment and is in stable condition, Kendrick said.
Godinez -- arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnapping, carjacking, domestic violence and child abuse -- was also taken to a hospital for his injuries.
He was being held Wednesday in lieu of $1-million bail.
While police don’t encourage civilian intervention, the individuals who freed the woman “quite possibly saved this lady’s life,” Kendrick said.
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