A chilling story from Christmas morning in 2011 came to light during a murder trial on Monday, March 8, 2021.
A Southern California man who killed his wife reportedly propped up her dead body on a sofa in front of their children and told them she was drunk.
The husband then had the kids open Christmas presents in front of her body, reports the Associated Press.
"This Christmas story does not have a happy ending, and unfortunately this is not just a story, it is real life," said Heather Brown, a senior deputy district attorney in Orange County.
According to the Orange County Register, Za'Zell Preston was only 26-years-old. She was taking college classes in hopes of being a domestic violence counselor.
She was killed in 2011 by William Wallace of Anaheim who had previously served jail time for beating her, reported the Register.
Brown described the events that led up to the murder, explaining that the two had gone to a neighbor's Christmas Eve party. Another neighbor reported hearing an argument later that night.
The prosecutor said Wallace told one of Preston's family members that they "were drinking and during the argument I tossed her around a bit."
On Christmas morning, Wallace dragged his wife's body into the living room, put sunglasses on her, and told their kids: "Mommy ruined Christmas, she got drunk and ruined Christmas.
Wallace could face up to 25 years to life in prison if he is convicted of first-degree murder.
Preston left behind a newborn son and two daughters who were 3 and 8-years-old at the time.
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