Medford Woman Pleads Guilty in Husband's Stabbing Death

A Medford woman pleaded guilty Monday to the 2011 stabbing death of her husband.

According to a statement from Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, Shawntina Burston, 40, entered a guilty plea on a charge of voluntary manslaughter. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Peter Lauriat sentenced her to 10 to 12 years in prison, Leone said.

At approximately 10:36 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2011, Medford police responded to 108 Exchange St. for a report of a stabbing. The victim, Troy Burston, 34, was found outside lying on a snow bank, showing an "obvious stab wound," according to Leone.

Troy Burston was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Shawntina Burston was taken into custody that night. According to Leone, the two had been arguing earlier in the night. The defendant grabbed a knife in the kitchen as the argument escalated, stabbing the victim, who then walked outside and collapsed.

Shawntina Burston allegedly confessed to the crime almost immediately, telling Medford Police Officer Lee Enos that "it was self-defense, he was choking me and hitting me," according to a police affidavit.

Shawntina Burston was arraigned the next day in Somerville District Court and ordered held without bail. . Originally, Burston was indicted on a charge of first degree murder.

Medford police said the stabbing took place while the couples' two children slept upstairs at the residence.

Leone called the incident a "tragic case of domestic violence turned fatal." 

“With today’s plea, the defendant admitted responsibility for her actions that caused the death of the victim," Leone said in the statement. "Our thoughts remain with the victim as well as the couple’s two young children.” 

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• Police: Wife Fatally Stabbed Husband While Children Slept Upstairs
• Hearing Delayed in South Medford Murder Case
• Medford Woman Indicted on Murder Charge
• Medford Woman Arraigned on Murder Charge