In a recent development regarding the 2021 kidnapping and murder case of a disabled woman in the Bevo neighborhood of St. Louis, a second man involved has been sentenced after agreeing to plead guilty to reduced charges.
Darris K. Williams, 37, made an appearance in St. Louis Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter and first-degree kidnapping, avoiding a trial for the heinous crime. Originally facing charges of first-degree murder, robbery, and kidnapping, Williams had the robbery charge dropped, and the murder charge was amended.
According to police and prosecutors, Williams, along with Anthony D. Newberry, 30, assaulted Lynette Lecates on May 23, 2021, in an attempt to steal her debit card. However, their plans were thwarted as they needed her pin number to use the card. Subsequently, they forced Lecates into a car trunk and drove her to multiple locations before leaving her in critical condition on South 38th Street. Lecates was found and hospitalized but tragically passed away on June 9, 2021, at the age of 41.
Williams has been sentenced to a total of 10 years for manslaughter and kidnapping, to be served concurrently. Earlier in August, Newberry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, receiving a 20-year sentence for murder and a 15-year sentence for kidnapping, to be served concurrently as well.
Additionally, Newberry is facing another case for an incident in August 2023, where he allegedly held a 73-year-old unarmed corrections officer hostage while being detained at the St. Louis Justice Center. This further sheds light on the criminal history and violent tendencies of the individuals involved in the tragic kidnapping and murder of Lynette Lecates.
The sentencing of both individuals brings some closure to the devastating loss of a disabled woman whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of swift justice in holding accountable those responsible for such horrific crimes, ensuring the safety and security of our communities.
