Westminster man sentenced for soliciting the murder of his wife

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2014
Case # 13CF0340 & 13CF1025

HUSBAND SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE FOR 2004 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CONSPIRACY-MURDER BY SOLICITING MURDER OF WIFE

SANTA ANA – A husband was sentenced Friday to life in state prison without the possibility of parole for the 2004 solicitation-murder of his wife. Magdi Faiz Girgis, 62, Westminster, was found guilty by a jury April 17, 2014, of one felony count of special circumstances murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, and sentencing enhancements for murder for financial gain and murder to prevent testimony were found true.

Co-defendant Anthony Edward Bridget, 40, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, one felony count of aggravated assault, one felony count of false imprisonment by violence, and sentencing enhancements for murder for financial gain, murder by lying in wait, and murder during the commission of a burglary. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Bridget is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing July 18, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-57, Central Justice Center.

Prior to the murder, Magdi Girgis had a pending domestic violence case against him related to assaulting his wife, 55-year-old Ariet Girgis. A restraining order was issued, Ariet Girgis intended to divorce the defendant, and Magdi Girgis moved out of the couple’s Westminster home.

Magdi Girgis, then a respiratory therapist, planned to murder the victim because he wanted to avoid the cost of a divorce and did not want to lose his medical license by receiving a felony conviction. As a result, Magdi Girgis solicited at least one person to murder his wife.

A few days prior to Sept. 29, 2004, Ariet Girgis testified in a preliminary hearing in the domestic violence case.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 29, 2004, Bridget and the other suspects are accused of entering Ariet Girgis’ home on Plum Street. Ariet Girgis and her 17-year-old son Ryan were the only family members in the home. Bridget is accused of binding and gagging Ryan and forcing him into a closet. At least one suspect is accused of murdering Ariet Girgis in her bedroom using a sharp object. Bridget and the suspects then fled the scene.

After several minutes, Ryan heard a car drive away from the house, broke free of his ties, and immediately reported the crime to Westminster Police Department (WPD). Officers responded to the 911 call and discovered Ariet Girgis had been murdered.

Magdi Girgis was convicted in the domestic violence case after the murder of Ariet Girgis (Case #04WF0321).

Following a cold-case investigation, WPD detectives arrested Magdi Girgis on Feb. 1, 2013.

During the sentencing, both of the victim’s sons gave impact statements to the court. Both of them spoke about living in fear of their father and said in part, “The only regret he has is that he didn’t kill us.”

Ryan Girgis described how he attends a number of weddings for his business and observes so many mother and son dances, knowing he will never be able to share that moment with his mother.

Richard Girgis described how he now lives with a security system, dogs, and sleeps with a gun under his pillow because of the actions of the defendant. He went on to say that he is now a critical care registered nurse and looking forward to a life honoring the memory of his mother.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Sonia Balleste, formerly of the Homicide Unit and now Assistant Head of Court in the Juvenile Justice Center, is prosecuting this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486