Man Convicted In Crucifix Beating

A Takoma Park man has been convicted of attempted murder for beating his estranged girlfriend at least 20 times with an 18-pound crucifix taken off an apartment wall.

Montgomery County prosecutors said on Thursday that 33-year-old Carlos Ovalle was also convicted a day earlier of burglary, stalking and two violations of a protective order.

Police say Ovalle broke into the woman's apartment in December and jumped out of a closet when she came home, trying to stab and strangle her.

Authorities say the woman bought herself time by telling Ovalle to turn on a DVD in another room so their two girls wouldn't see the assault.

A Takoma Park police officer burst in and shot Ovalle twice. Authorities say one bullet passed through his chest and hit the woman's arm.

Sentencing is set for Oct 6.