Man sentenced to 22 years for murdering his pregnant girlfriend
TACOMA, Wash. -- A Pierce County man who brutally murdered his pregnant girlfriend was sentenced Friday to 22 years in prison.
Joseph Lester, 25, was convicted last month of second degree murder in the stabbing death of 21-year-old Keisha Lewis.
"This is a sad and disturbing example of domestic violence," Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said in a statement. "The defendant's murderous rage leaves Keisha Lewis' two young children without their mother. While we believe a longer sentence would have been more just, the defendant has been held accountable."
On Halloween night in 2011, Lester showed up at the victim's 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. She was at least two months pregnant when she was killed.
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.
Prosecutors asked for an exceptional sentence of 50 years because Lester knew Lewis was pregnant and the crime occurred in the presence of their child.
Tensions between the Lester and Lewis families boiled over after the sentence was announced and one of Lester's supporters taunted a Lewis family member, saying, "He's going to get out."
That sparked several fist fights in the courtroom that only ended when a police officer used a Taser on one of the combatants.
The sentence was not nearly long enough for the victim's mother.
"Joseph's going to go to prison and he's going to come out worse when he gets out, and people are going to have to be afraid, including my family, and we're caring for his children," she said.
Joseph Lester, 25, was convicted last month of second degree murder in the stabbing death of 21-year-old Keisha Lewis.
"This is a sad and disturbing example of domestic violence," Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said in a statement. "The defendant's murderous rage leaves Keisha Lewis' two young children without their mother. While we believe a longer sentence would have been more just, the defendant has been held accountable."
On Halloween night in 2011, Lester showed up at the victim's 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. She was at least two months pregnant when she was killed.
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.
Prosecutors asked for an exceptional sentence of 50 years because Lester knew Lewis was pregnant and the crime occurred in the presence of their child.
Tensions between the Lester and Lewis families boiled over after the sentence was announced and one of Lester's supporters taunted a Lewis family member, saying, "He's going to get out."
That sparked several fist fights in the courtroom that only ended when a police officer used a Taser on one of the combatants.
The sentence was not nearly long enough for the victim's mother.
"Joseph's going to go to prison and he's going to come out worse when he gets out, and people are going to have to be afraid, including my family, and we're caring for his children," she said.
Judging from his teardrop tattoo, this is not his first murder, merely the first he was caught at.
The guy is a POS thug with gang tattoos that typically represent having murdered people... not exactly a stand up citizen. What I want to know is why this guy is going to get out in 22 years... he shouldnt ever be getting out, or he should be in the ground.
email or call the judge who sentenced him
 Frank E. Cuthbertson, Judge 253-798-7625 - www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/orgs/286.html
"That sparked several fist fights in the courtroom that only ended when a police officer used a Taser on one of the combatants."Â
Combatants... i'm surprised they didn't send a drone.
@VoiceofReason Do you even think about the ridiculous crap you spout?
It is a fact that pregnant woman are at the the highest risk for being homicide victims. Â That is such a weird thing to me, because that should be the most enjoyable time for a couple. Â Even if you are married and seem to have a perfect relationship ,for example Lacy Peterson, you could still be at risk. Â Doing what he did in front of a child is inhumane and he should be put away forever. Â The fact that anyone supports him is disturbing. Â I can't judge this woman for her choice in men because obviously by what happened in the courtroom, she may not have had the best role models.
@keri555 Could you please cite your source for that 'fact'? I'm not saying it's not true because I don't know, but that seems a bit odd.
@Commenter87643Â @keri555Â I looked it up and homicide seems to be the leading cause of death in "pregnant" women, however, that is not to say that that means that makes them a target, the report also goes on to say that the higher incidence is in lower educated, poor economic and younger women.
Also, this is not the leading cause of death across all groups, just merely one or two studies done, give me a minute and I will find it.
@Commenter87643Â Oh, and I'm with you, I disagree with the statement which is why I looked it up in the first place, after reading what I have, I still disagree with the statement. I just didnt bother calling them on it.
@Commenter87643 @Susabelle yes, I know, it is flawed... But it is the only thing that really could corroborate her statement. Like I said, I felt the statement a bit inflammatory and did a little research of my own. But it does give a starting point to look up a couple of other studies.  Since her statement implies that pregnant women are more at risk than general population, this article clearly defines the parameters of the opinion.
I find too many times people read a story and take it as fact without looking up the original information.
@Susabelle This article says homicide AND suicide, which you did say on your earlier post, and I can seriously believe that statistic, but murder alone....not so much.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/26/us-deaths-pregnancy-idUSTRE79P7OK20111026
Here is a fair article on the subject...
Some people only know how to do three things in life: Have "relations", mek bebbies, and stir up trouble as an occupation.
What good are ya, anyway?
Should have been for life without a possibility of parole.
I hope he does something stupid and gets more time while he is there. His "supporters" should have to serve time with him because they are just as sick.  21 yo and having her 3rd child. Women be careful who you make these babies with.
He'll be out by the time he's 47. Not a bad deal for stabbing a pregnant woman to death. Someone ought to hire judges who believe in justice.Â
Good riddance to him. What a loser dragging kids in the world and then killing the mother of his children. Education is free here in America, but some people seem to fight to take the low rode. I wouldn't have bothered going to his trial even if we were related.
As for the victim and other women like her. Get a clue, your life isn't going to be easy with some guy whose got a teardrop tats by his eye. Don't be surprised if they treat you poorly since they obviously treat others poorly.
This comment has been deleted
@LoJack Yes he is a veteran, of thug life.
email or call the judge Frank E. Cuthbertson, Judge 253-798-7625Â
http://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/orgs/286.html
No matter the confrontation or problems between families, no reason to kill your pregnant girlfriend who hasnt even begun to live life.
ONly 22 years?? ARE yo kidding me?? He killed her and her CHILD, in front of the children. 22 years?? Thats a slap on the wrist. Do to him what he did to her. An eye for an eye
@Nancybratt 22 and pregnant with her third child - one was two, one was 9 months, and she was 2 months pregnant. Nothing like cranking them out.
@Nancybratt know ur facts
@Kiki @Nancybratt Know grammar.Â
My Brother was sentence right. Only two people know know the true story including god. And it was Keisha family who started the fight acting ghetto...people shouldnt talk if they werent even there during the whole trial.
@Kiki It doesn't matter WHAT her family was saying or doing. He killed her and their unborn child. NO EXCUSE. NONE.
@Kiki YOUR bro killed 2 people. Off with his head. And with the part that produces these kids, unless he needs it in jail.
The family was acting ghetto..so he killed her?
@Seattlites defies logic doesn't it?
So if he keeps his nose clean, he is out at about 39.Justice was not done here.
@oldster70 Justice was done...nd keep his nose clean from what...my brother never did coke, or sniffed...so shut that up
@Kiki @oldster70 OMG Really??? Honey you need to get an education, there is a whole world out here that does not revolve around your obviously small small idea of it. Read a book, enroll in school and please learn to communicate with your fellow man.Â
It is NOT okay to kill people, and saying it wasnt his fault is insane! Be accountable for your actions for heavens sake, get out of the circle of violence and hate and make something of yourself. All you are doing on here is making it clear that you really need help because you obviously cannot see clearly.
Just so you are aware... keeping his nose clean is a very old phrase that means to stay out of trouble. Oldster was not accusing him of using cocaine...
@Kiki@Susabelle Getting educated? You have a long way to go with spelling and English. (making sumtin of my self)
@Kiki @Susabelle This is an open public comment board, with a lot of people with very strong feelings about those that commit crimes of violence.  Some people are so fed up with this kind of behavior that they dont care what the reason, I happen to be one of them. I'm done with thinking kindly towards people who can commit crimes like this. Of course that is my right, and with freedom of speech I certainly can express myself. I'm not sure how old you are, but I'm beginning to think too young to be on this board if your grammar and spelling is any indicator. As far as the hate and violence? What do you call threats in the court room? Is that okay because the other family started it? NO, it isnt. This is the hate and violence I'm talking about, it is implied violence, it is implied hate.Â
@Kiki @Susabelle I am sorry for your loss, truly I am. But there is a big difference between supporting someone you love after they have made a mistake and defending their actions as not their fault. We always have a choice and we must pay the price when we break those rules, regardless of how "mad" we are when the emotions erupt. Still guilty, still responsible for the loss of two lives. I was not at the trial, however the violence with which the murder took place is telling.
@Susabelle and i never said that killing is okay...never said it wasnt his fault, and im not violent at, and niether is my family, and i making sumtin of my self, you dont even know me, and im making it clear that you and whoever dont know the whole story, and some one and your family comited a crime your not gonna sit there and talk about them.
@Susabelle Im gettin my education, im his younger sister, and like i said only two people including god knows the truth and those who been there through the whole trial
Ghetto....all around. both families. morons
@yeahguy My family isnt ghetto let that be none
Known.
So he'll be out of jail by the time he's 40 or so - excellent!!! Afraid this is what Jodi Arias will get.
But the judicial system doesn't care!! THEY SIMPLY DON"T CARE ANYMORE!!! Their answer is 22 years...See ya in 10!
It was 1st degree murder against an unborn child Lake view!! He killed his girlfriend and the mother of his children! He's a loser now and will not be ready in 22 years or less!! He should have received LIFE with out parole!!Â
He murders two people and get 11 years per life??? Slap on the wrist!! He'll be young enough to get back out and slaughter another...
@reelin21 actualy no if it was a slap on the rist he would be out right now, and what he did wasnt like him...man people need to shut up, werent even there during the whole trial...wanna be leave the media when all the media does is feed people lies
@Kiki @reelin21 All I need to know is he killed her. Doesn't matter why. Doesn't matter what the provocation was. He killed this woman and their unborn child. He is where he belongs. You take a life, you give up yours.
@Kiki @reelin21 Did the media Photoshop your brothers picture? Had he spent less time trying to look tough with his teardrop tat and cornrows like a little girl and applied himself in school, then maybe we might believe you.
In 15 years this guy will be back on the streets and kill someone with a gun. But of course that will be the guns fault. Â
They all sound like great members of the community. Â
As for the prosecutor wanting a longer sentence: 22 years is well within the normal range for 2nd degree murder. Was there a 1st degree charge on the table for the jury? Well, that information isn't in this article.Â
@lakeview 1st degree requires planning and no article I've seen on this sordid story indicates planning. He deserved the 50 years the prosecutors asked for though.
The News Tribune claims that the standard sentencing range for 2nd degree murder is 16.5 to 25 years. Â
Not saying it's right, but it is what it is.Â