A Vallejo man has been sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for the brutal killing of his girlfriend back in 2016. The heartbreaking case finally came to a close on Friday when Solano County Superior Court Judge John B. Ellis delivered the sentence to 35-year-old Troy Lamar Austin. The courtroom, located in the Justice Building in Vallejo, heard Ellis declare that Austin also had a prior felony on his record, adding to the severity of the punishment.
The sentence came after a jury, on October 2, found Austin guilty of first-degree murder for killing Samantha Rhone, his girlfriend of five years. The trial, which lasted a month, took place during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a grim reminder of the dangers many victims face behind closed doors.
According to Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams, Samantha Rhone had endured a long history of domestic abuse during her relationship with Austin. On the night of the tragic incident, May 19, 2016, neighbors on Wallace Avenue in Vallejo heard chilling screams for help. They also heard disturbing sounds of what they later described as “hitting noises.”
Two witnesses peered out from their second-story windows and saw Austin viciously attacking Rhone. They described him kicking and stomping on her more than 20 times as she drifted in and out of consciousness. When police arrived, Rhone was still alive and managed to tell them Austin was the one who had attacked her. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. Tragically, the extent of her internal injuries, caused by the brutal beating, was too severe, and she passed away.
Austin, who had fled the scene, was later found hiding in a neighbor’s backyard. He initially gave police a fake name but eventually admitted what he had done. In his own chilling words, he confessed that he “went psycho” and beat Rhone because “she did not listen.”
Since the murder, Austin had been held at the Stanton Correctional Facility. During the legal proceedings, there was a delay when, in June 2022, he was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial. However, by December 2023, Austin was deemed fit to participate in his defense, allowing the criminal case to move forward.
Deputy District Attorney Ilana Shapiro led the prosecution in the trial, with Robert Greenberg as the lead investigator for the case. Austin was defended by criminal lawyer Dustin Gordon.
This devastating case highlights the all-too-common dangers of domestic violence. Samantha Rhone’s story serves as a painful reminder that help is available for those in abusive relationships. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can reach out for support by calling (707) 784-6827. Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams, a strong advocate for victims of domestic and sexual violence, encourages anyone in need to seek assistance.
Let Samantha’s story inspire action and awareness, so more lives can be saved from such tragic outcomes.
