Lester found guilty in stabbing death of pregnant girlfriend
TACOMA, Wash. -- A Pierce County man could spend the next 25 years behind bars after a jury found him guilty of murdering his pregnant girlfriend.
Joseph Lester, 25, was convicted Thursday of second degree murder in the brutal stabbing death of 21-year-old Keisha Lewis.
"This is a sad example of domestic violence," Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said in a written statement. "The defendant's murderous rage leaves Keisha Lewis' two young children without their mother."
On Halloween night in 2011, Lester showed up at Lewis' University Place home with the couple's 9-month-old daughter. Prosecutors say he and Lewis began to argue outside the apartment, and moments later witnesses heard Lewis cry out, "He's killing me," according to court papers.
Lewis was able to make it back inside, where her mom, best friend and 2-year-old son were located, but she was bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds and died before she could be taken to a hospital.
Lester grabbed his young daughter and sped away from the apartment. A witness told authorities that Lester said, "I'm doing to her what she did to me."
Lester turned himself in several hours later.
During his murder trial, Lester claimed he was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder at the time of the attack and was defending himself from Lewis. But an autopsy showed Lewis had been stabbed multiple times, including fatal wounds to the head and the throat, according to prosecutors.
She was at least two months pregnant when she was killed.
Lester is scheduled to be sentenced in March and faces a standard sentence range of 16 to 25 years in prison. The state will request an exceptional sentence greater than 25 years.
Joseph Lester, 25, was convicted Thursday of second degree murder in the brutal stabbing death of 21-year-old Keisha Lewis.
"This is a sad example of domestic violence," Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said in a written statement. "The defendant's murderous rage leaves Keisha Lewis' two young children without their mother."
On Halloween night in 2011, Lester showed up at Lewis' University Place home with the couple's 9-month-old daughter. Prosecutors say he and Lewis began to argue outside the apartment, and moments later witnesses heard Lewis cry out, "He's killing me," according to court papers.
Lewis was able to make it back inside, where her mom, best friend and 2-year-old son were located, but she was bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds and died before she could be taken to a hospital.
Lester grabbed his young daughter and sped away from the apartment. A witness told authorities that Lester said, "I'm doing to her what she did to me."
Lester turned himself in several hours later.
During his murder trial, Lester claimed he was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder at the time of the attack and was defending himself from Lewis. But an autopsy showed Lewis had been stabbed multiple times, including fatal wounds to the head and the throat, according to prosecutors.
She was at least two months pregnant when she was killed.
Lester is scheduled to be sentenced in March and faces a standard sentence range of 16 to 25 years in prison. The state will request an exceptional sentence greater than 25 years.
Fry his a**, and make it hurt!!
How in the hell is that only 2nd degree? So this waste of air will be fed and taken care of by me for 10 or 15 years then turned loose on us all again. Here you go voters, like what you asked for now?
I wish more girls/woman would not get mixed up with hoodlums. This one is a clear no-brainer as to his character. Sad that her family has to endure this grief and a child will be raised with without a mother.
Hopefully, we never see this guy again. Hope he has fun in prison with the rest of the low lives.
Why is he not going to get life??
He ended a life, Therefore, his should be ended too. It wasn't an accident.
Effed up system.
Death penalty should be the only punishment that may approximate a fair deal. 25 years, millions of dollars and this punk gets to live. It isn't right, plain and simple.
@Socialjusticeforall agreed!
Only 25 years? He killed TWO people, viciously, with a knife, and only gets 25 years? He'll be out in half that, you watch. Our justice system is broken. THIS puke needs to be executed.
I know one eye tattoo with a teardrop says you killed someone and the other is a love one had died, which one is this?Â
I hope the kids will be able to have a happy life, and find peace.Â
@Just my say Probably some poser. So tired of the people up and down the I-5 corridor pretending as if the Pacific NorthWest is the 'likes' of Compton or some other rough city. Just a bunch of losers who cause problems for others.