Woman Who Shielded Domestic Abuse Victim From Knife Attack Honored With Courage Award: Prosecutors

LONG BEACH, CA — A Long Beach woman was recently honored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for her efforts in protecting another domestic abuse victim who was being assaulted by her fiancée, according to authorities.

Prosecutors say Angela Ervin's cousin and his fiancée were visiting her on March 12, 2022, when the cousin started "brutally" beating his fiancée.

Ervin stepped in, shielding her cousin's fiancée from the assault and multiple knife attacks, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Despite seeing her cousin as a "brother," according to authorities, Ervin then contacted police, provided a full statement and agreed to testify against him, authorities said.

"Even when family members tried to intimidate her from testifying against her cousin, she stood firm," prosecutors said. "Her courage and testimony were crucial to securing justice for the survivor."

On Wednesday, Ervin was one of multiple people who received the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Courage Awards.

“I extend my personal gratitude to these heroic bystanders who made the difficult decision to intervene in the moment of crisis, setting their personal welfare aside, to help victims of crime,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement.

Since the attack, Ervin's cousin has been found guilty by a jury of attempted murder; assault with a deadly weapon; inflicting an injury on his fiancé with great bodily injury; battery with serious bodily injury; two felony counts of attempting to dissuade a witness; and 10 misdemeanor counts of violating a court order, according to prosecutors.

He faces a sentence of over 150 years to life in state prison.