Clovis woman sentenced to 15 years in stabbing

A 43-year-old Clovis woman was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for second degree murder.

Robbin Banister pleaded guilty to the crime earlier this year, but sentencing was postponed for evaluations, according to a press release from District Attorney Matthew Chandler.

The sentence is the maximum for second degree murder.

Chandler said Banister stabbed Clifford Webber of Clovis in June 2009 and with the help of another person, moved Webber’s body to a nearby house.

Days later, the Clovis Police Department found a badly decomposed body later identified as Webber.

Through the investigation, the release said, evidence showed Banister stabbed Webber in the chest and tried to conceal the crime by hiding evidence and blaming other people.

“Although the penalty for this crime seems minimal, we are pleased to have received the maximum sentence allowed by law in New Mexico. The family of Clifford Webber was satisfied with today’s ruling and the resolution of this case,” Chandler said in the release.

Judge Teddy Hartley presided over the case.