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Domestic Violence Victim Delivers Message During Sentencing

GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4)- One year after a Colorado woman was nearly stabbed to death by her husband, she made an emotional plea to the judge deciding the man's fate. It was followed by a strong message for victims of domestic violence.

Jimmy Manzanares
Jimmy Manzanares (credit: CBS)

"He decides to stab me not once, not twice but eight times. I'm thankful everyday, everyday, that I'm alive," said victim Ruby Ramirez in court.

Ramirez told a Weld County judge that she endured 20 years of physical and verbal abuse from her now estranged husband Jimmy Manzanares.

The abuse finally ended after he stabbed her eight times.

Manzanares entered a plea agreement for pleading guilty to one count of criminal attempt to commit murder. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison with a minimum five years parole.

Ramirez said despite some scarring she and her four sons are doing just fine.

"Once they start smacking you around or anything, pushing you, that's how it starts but it ends ugly," said Ramirez.

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