Emmanuel Sanchez found guilty of homicide in stabbing death of ex-girlfriend

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A jury has found 28-year-old Emmanuel Sanchez guilty of first degree intentional homicide and guilty of knowingly violating an order of domestic abuse. 

Sanchez had been accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in August 2017. 

Thursday morning the courtroom was filled with friends and family from both parties. The jury heard closing arguments and rebuttals Thursday in the death of 24-year-old Crystal Leopold. The homicide trial started Tuesday where prosecutors displayed a bloodstained butcher knife which they say was the murder weapon.

Prosecutors claim Sanchez broke into Leopold's apartment just days after a restraining order was issued and stabbed her in the chest.

After the verdict was read Leopold's sister Tiffany Fischer said, "This is what we've been praying for and asking for. I don't know how to really explain how I'm feeling but just that our prayers were answered."

Another sister of Leopold's, Justine Gomez, said, "He still has his life. I have to talk to my sister through a necklace with her ashes. But she got her justice today and he's going to be out away for a very long time."

A sentencing hearing is sentenced for February 1 at 1:30 p.m.