24 Years For Denver Stabbing: 'I Think I Killed Him This Time'

DENVER, CO -- A 48-year-old woman who fatally stabbed a 56-year-old male "drinking buddy" after a fight, then called 911 and fled was sentenced to 24 years in prison this week.

Elaine Gallegos pleaded guilty in March to 2nd-degree murder for the April 1, 2017 death of Leslie Southern, Jr. in the 2100 block of Stout Street, the Denver District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

Police said Gallegos called 911 around 12:30 a.m. and told them she found a "drinking buddy" stabbed on the floor of the apartment but did not know what happened to him. She also "refused to remain on the scene to provide additional information and updates," police said in the arrest affidavit.

According to a witness, Gallegos, Southern and another woman were drinking around midnight when Gallegos and Southern, who also went by "Malcolm" got into a physical fight. Blows were exchanged between Gallegos and Southern. The woman told police she heard Gallegos say, "I'm gonna cut this m---." The woman said she heard Southern utter a swear word and "saw him go into the bedroom." She police she saw him later bleeding on the floor, unresponsive.

Another witness told police he heard "a loud bang on the wall" and heard Gallegos say, "I think I killed him this time."

Gallegos was originally charged with first degree murder, but pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges.

Image via Denver District Attorney's Office