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Trista Spicer Sentenced to 15 Years for Boyfriend's Murder

4/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Trista Spicer was sentenced to 15 years in prison for second-degree murder of her boyfriend, Eric Mercado, in San Bernardino, California, and her attorneys have filed an appeal.
She killed Mercado in October 2014 during a dinner argument, striking him with a skillet and cutting his throat.
Mercado's remains were discovered in 2022 after Spicer's new boyfriend reported her confession to police, and witnesses testified about his abuse toward Spicer.

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Story summary

Trista Spicer was sentenced to 15 years in prison for second-degree murder of her boyfriend, Eric Mercado, in San Bernardino, California, and her attorneys have filed an appeal.
She killed Mercado in October 2014 during a dinner argument, striking him with a skillet and cutting his throat.
Mercado's remains were discovered in 2022 after Spicer's new boyfriend reported her confession to police, and witnesses testified about his abuse toward Spicer.