Punishment and new video from deadly fight over cats and dogs in Southeast Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A son remembered the mother he lost in a fight over cats and dogs -- as the woman who killed her tried to take back the deal that's sending her to prison.

"She also had a love for pets, so much that I'm standing here because she was protecting those pets," said Felix Joe Hernandez.

His mother, 56-year-old Mary Lara, died in her own driveway after she was stabbed 14 times. And for the first time, we can show you surveillance video from the fateful confrontation.

Laquandra Kinchen agreed to a manslaughter conviction almost two months ago, but she delayed punishment once and then Wednesday, she tried to take it all back. But the attack you see in somewhat graphic, somewhat blurry video just can't be undone.

Mary Lara's death did not go unnoticed. Street cameras in southeast Fresno had her in focus as she approached Laquandra Kinchen and her two kids and dog. Police say Lara was focused on the dog and the threat it posed to her own animals. Seconds later, Kinchen became the aggressor and the knife in her hand trumped the iron rod in Lara's. You can barely see Kinchen delivering the 14 blows that killed Lara and brought her family outside.

"I hear my nieces screaming 'Grandma's dead. Grandma's dead,'" said Alysia Mendoza, one of Lara's five children. "Then I hear my sister yelling 'Mom's dead. Mom's dead.'"

Even Wednesday, Kinchen insisted she was protecting her children by stabbing Lara.

And even though she signed a plea agreement admitting to manslaughter, she bitterly asked the judge to let her take it back. When he refused, she asked if she had to stay to receive her punishment.

"You're obligated to remain here as we go through this proceeding, yes," said Judge Gary Hoff.

"So I'm just another black slave in your courtroom then," Kinchen responded.

"No ma'am. You're an individual that's being treated as an individual for an offense that you have entered a plea to," Judge Hoff said as Kinchen interrupted.

"I rescind all signatures and I do not consent," she said.

That's how Kinchen began and ended the sentencing hearing, but in between, she did show a flash of regret, giving Lara's family a touch of closure before taking that back too.

"I am the utmost apologetic and remorseful and regret the fact that this has happened," she said before adding "I did not initiate the altercation."

The judge eventually sentenced Kinchen to 12 years in prison.