Wisconsin Woman Gets Life in Prison After Stabbing Boyfriend to Death and Begging Friends to Claim He ‘Stabbed Himself’
APPLETON, WI — A Wisconsin woman who stabbed her boyfriend in the heart and desperately tried to shift blame has been sentenced to life in prison, closing a case that prosecutors described as fueled by drugs, lies, and years of violent behavior.
40-year-old Samantha Jean Krebs was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide for the stabbing death of 35-year-old Joseph “Joey” Carnot during a violent argument inside their Appleton apartment on June 18, 2024. A judge ordered that she will be eligible for parole only after serving 36 years behind bars.
A Gruesome Scene and a Desperate Lie
Two friends arriving for what was supposed to be a casual hangout discovered Carnot bleeding on the floor. The witnesses told investigators that Krebs immediately locked eyes with them and begged:
“Just tell the cops he stabbed himself.”
Authorities said Krebs repeated the plea multiple times, insisting she “couldn’t go back to prison.”
One witness told officers she was “110% sure” Krebs stabbed Carnot and noted the defendant’s long criminal history involving violence and drugs.
Moments before leaving the apartment, Krebs shockingly kissed Carnot’s dying body, saying she was sorry and loved him, according to the criminal complaint.
She then fled in a car with no license plates.
Defendant Claimed Her Boyfriend ‘Killed Himself’
When police found Krebs at a friend’s apartment, she maintained her story:
“I just watched my fiancé kill himself and now I’m being arrested.”
At trial, she took the stand and continued insisting Carnot stabbed himself during an argument — despite overwhelming forensic evidence to the contrary.
Prosecutors said Krebs was high on methamphetamine, struck during an argument, and plunged a kitchen knife into Carnot’s chest before leaving him to bleed out on the floor.
Jurors deliberated just over five hours before convicting her of intentional homicide.
Courtroom Showdown: Prosecutor Calls Out Her Story
During cross-examination, a prosecutor confronted Krebs directly:
“Your fiancé is bleeding out and dying on the kitchen floor and you leave.”
Krebs interrupted:
“I didn’t know he was dying.”
The prosecutor fired back:
“Oh, Samantha. You talked about him being unconscious and having blood gushing from his chest.”
Krebs admitted she was high and said she was more worried about being caught with meth than Carnot’s condition.
A Long Criminal Past Emerges
Court records showed Krebs had an extensive record dating back over a decade, including:
- Battery
- Drug possession (meth, cocaine, heroin)
- Injury by negligent use of a weapon
Prosecutors argued that the violence against Carnot fit a clear pattern.
Emotional Sentencing: ‘I Know I’m Not Responsible’
At Monday’s sentencing hearing, Krebs cried in court and delivered a defiant statement insisting she did not kill Carnot.
“There’s no way. I know I’m not responsible for his death. I don’t feel that I deserve life in prison.”
The judge rejected her claims immediately.
Judge: ‘I’m Not Buying That’
Outagamie County Circuit Judge Vincent Biskupic said Krebs showed no remorse and continued to deny responsibility despite overwhelming evidence.
“‘It’s a suicide, judge.’ I’m not buying that,” he said.
He then handed down a life sentence with 36 years before parole eligibility.
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