San Francisco woman who stabbed boyfriend to death to be released in June

By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

SAN FRANCISCO – The family of a popular street performer in San Francisco who was killed by his girlfriend said they were shocked, saddened and frustrated with the criminal justice system.  

Jordan Semplar was killed less than two years ago. 

Yet his girlfriend is scheduled to be released next month after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter.  

Semplar’s sister, Alisha, described her brother as a nonviolent man with no criminal history and that he was the victim of domestic violence.

A YouTube video captures Jordan’s break dancing skills. 

His stage was often Pier 39 in San Francisco.  

“I see a man who loved his craft,” his sister said. “Jordan was very happy in bringing smiles to other people’s lives and their faces.”

But that joy with which Jordan Semplar lived his life suddenly ended on November 25, 2022.

He was found dead in the driveway of the apartment building in the Diamond Heights neighborhood where he lived with his longtime girlfriend, Sarah Buchanan. 

She had stabbed him once near the chest.

Buchanan was convicted of involuntary manslaughter recently and sentenced to three years.

According to court documents, Jordan came home drunk, woke Buchanan up and called her derogatory names. 

She said she lunged at him with a knife to scare him. 

An account that Alisha Semplar said doesn’t tell the whole story. 

“There’s still the emotion of wanting to persist, to fight,” Semplar said. 

Buchanan is expected to be released next month with credit for time served.

“There’s shock. I’m still working through that,” said Alisha Semplar. 

Buchanan’s defense attorney, Tamani Taylor, released a written statement that said in part: “The verdict was both fair and just because it was based on the applicable law and relevant evidence presented at the trial.”  
 
“I want to share that the legal process is not fair and just,” Alisha Semplar said.

She added there was no Black juror during the trial and said there was crucial evidence and witnesses ruled inadmissible. 

The District Attorney’s Office said in part,”We take each case seriously and put on the best case we can base on the facts, evidence and the law to meet our burden of proof.  In this case, we sought a conviction for murder and the jury returned a conviction of involuntary manslaughter.”                                                                                                                                                                                

“There is a great issue where men suffer from domestic violence. It’s not visible or focused on,” Alisha Semplar said.

She added her brother suffered from emotional and physical abuse in his 10-year relationship with Buchanan.

Buchanan is expected to be released June 14 at her next court hearing. 

Semplar said the family will take action, including filing a civil lawsuit against her.  

Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU,  Instagram @AmberKTVU  or Twitter @AmberKTVU.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.

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