By James DeWeese
Gina Guillen, 26, was convicted of assault and criminal possession of a weapon Friday after a 2 1/2 week jury trial, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said. The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for three hours before returning a guilty verdict against the Guillen, who married her boyfriend about seven months after the attack.According to prosecutors, Guillen, who worked as a waitress in a nightclub, attacked her 35-year-old boyfriend of four years April 29, 2003, beating him over the head and fracturing his skull.Guillen's husband, Felipe Herrera, was in a coma for several days after the attack, Brown said. Herrera has lingering brain damage, including right-side paralysis, memory lapses and difficulty speaking, Brown said.”The defendant viciously attacked her husband with a hammer and repeatedly struck him in the head, fracturing his skull,” Brown said. “The conviction ensures that justice has been done for the victim who sustained serious physical injuries in the attack.”Guillen's attorney, Kevin O'Donnell, could not be reached for comment and it was unclear if Guillen would file an appeal. During the trial, Guillen told the jury that Herrera habitually assaulted her. Guillen said she attacked Herrera with a hammer in self-defense after he grabbed her hair and thrust her into the ground.Herrera, who now lives in his native Mexico, did not return to testify against Guillen, who now faces up to 25 years in prison.Guillen is slated to be sentenced before State Supreme Court Justice Mark Spires on May 10.Reach reporter James DeWeese by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 157.
