Stanley Pipes found guilty of second degree murder of fiancée

Friday, May 19, 2017
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Late Friday afternoon a jury found a Fresno man guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his fiancée.

The jury first began deliberating the case of Stanley Pipes Thursday morning. The 55-year-old took the stand earlier this week to explain his strange out of body experience during the murder of 62-year-old Kristie Claassen in December of 2015.
[Ads /]
Pipes admitted he shot the woman multiple times and said he believed Claassen was going to steal his assets used to care for his mom and brother.

Pipes also said a fight over expensive cat food ultimately led to her death.
Copyright © 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.