A 40-year-old Wisconsin woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal stabbing of her boyfriend, a killing she immediately tried to pin on the victim himself.
Samantha Krebs received her life sentence on Tuesday after a jury convicted her of first-degree intentional homicide for the death of 35-year-old Joey Carnot in 2024. The court heard how Krebs attempted to manipulate the scene and witnesses following the fatal attack.
A Final Kiss and a Criminal Command
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WBAY, witnesses saw Krebs appear to kiss Carnot on the night of the killing before she left the scene. Rather than seeking help, she instructed those present to tell police that Carnot had stabbed himself.
One witness reported hearing Krebs say, 'I can't go back to prison,' on the night of the killing. When friends discovered Carnot with fatal knife wounds in the apartment he shared with Krebs, she told them, 'Just tell the police he stabbed himself,' as reported by NBC 26.
A Life of Crime and Courtroom Denials
Prosecutors, as reported by Court TV, described the stabbing as 'fueled by manipulation, addiction and control.' They presented Krebs's extensive criminal history, which stretched over a decade and included 20 prior cases and 37 convictions.
At the time of the stabbing, Krebs was on probation. Her record included drug possession charges for substances like methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, as well as previous counts for injury by negligent weapon use and multiple batteries.
Despite the evidence, Krebs addressed the court to profess her love for Carnot and deny responsibility for his death. She claimed she made 'tragic decisions' while 'high and in shock.'
'I never will understand ... the fact that anyone would believe — even for a second — that I would hurt Joey, causing the injury that would lead to his death. There's no way. There's no f---ing way,' she told the court, according to WLUK.
A Family's Grief and a Judge's Condemnation
The victim's family delivered powerful impact statements, painting a picture of a beloved man destroyed by a toxic relationship. Carnot's sister described Krebs as a 'cold-hearted manipulator' and recalled her brother's drastic change in behaviour and appearance during their time together.
'He had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone. He was always happy. Joey’s laugh was contagious. You couldn’t be around him and not laugh,' she said.
His mother added, 'The heartache just doesn’t go away. I have dreams about him, only to wake up and realize that he’s not here with us anymore. My heart breaks over and over again.'
Judge Vincent Biskupic dismissed Krebs's testimony as 'window dressing' and cited her long history of violent and drug-related convictions as evidence she remained a risk to the public.
He sentenced her to life with eligibility for extended supervision, or parole, after 36 years. He expressed hope that she would use the sentence to 'do something different.' Krebs was also ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution.
Joey Carnot, an avid football fan and former member of the national guard, was described in his obituary as a devoted father to his son, Kasen. 'Whether it was going on bike rides or playing with their off-road RC car; Joey's love for his son knew no bounds,' the tribute read.
