Arraignment set for Dobbins woman in sword death case

A Dobbins woman was held to answer Friday in Yuba County Superior Court on charges of killing her boyfriend with a three-foot long sword.

An arraignment for Joanne Cardoza, 49, was set for Sept. 9, following the decision by Yuba County Superior Court Judge Dennis Buckley.

Earlier this year, Cardoza was arrested in connection with the death of 43-year-old Oregon House man Buck Day after reportedly stabbing him on the left side of his body with a sword, the Yuba County Sheriff's Department said.

The couple was apparently having an altercation throughout the day, which carried into the early morning hours on May 13, investigators said. At one point, Cardoza said Day rushed toward her, and she grabbed a sword off a nearby table and stabbed him.

Cardoza called 911 about 3 a.m., authorities said. Medical personnel responded, but Day was pronounced dead at the scene. Cardoza has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge. In July, she was deemed competent to stand trial.