Kimesha Williams, sibling of NBA player Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, received a life sentence with no chance of parole for the homicide of 84-year-old Afaf Assad.
Kawhi Leonard is one of the best basketball players in the world. He is a two-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and a five-time All-Star.
He is known for his quiet demeanor, relentless work ethic, and clutch performances.
But behind his success and fame, there is a dark and tragic story involving his sister, Kimesha Williams.
Williams, who is 11 years older than Leonard, was one of two women convicted for the 2019 murder of an 84-year-old woman in a Southern California casino.
She received a life sentence without parole, along with her co-defendant Candace Townsel.
Credit: (abc7 News)
Kimesha Williams Shocking Story
According to the authorities, Williams and Townsel followed Afaf Assad, a grandmother of 17, into the bathroom of the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. on Aug. 31, 2019.
They attacked her, broke her skull, and stole her purse, which contained $800 and credit cards.
Assad died from her injuries a few days later, on Sept.
The police identified Williams and Townsel as the suspects after reviewing the surveillance footage and tracking the credit cards.
They were arrested on Sept. 3 and charged with first-degree murder, robbery, and elder abuse.
They pleaded not guilty and went to trial in February 2023.
The jury found them guilty of all charges after less than two hours of deliberation.
What was the motive?
The prosecution argued that Williams and Townsel were motivated by greed and desperation.
They said that Williams had a gambling addiction and a history of theft and fraud.
She had racked up more than $40,000 in debt and was facing eviction from her apartment.
She also had a prior conviction for grand theft in 2012, for which she served two years in prison.
The defense tried to portray Williams as a loving mother of three children, who had a troubled childhood and suffered from mental health issues.
They claimed that she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the crime and did not intend to kill Assad.
Furthermore, they tried to distance her from Leonard, saying that they had not spoken in years and that he did not support her financially.
Public Reaction to Kawhi Leonard Sister Murder case
The murder of Assad shocked and saddened the community, especially the Syrian-American community, to which she belonged.
Assad was described as a kind, generous, and devout woman, who loved her family and friends.
She had immigrated to the U.S. from Syria in 1998 and settled in Long Beach, Calif.
She enjoyed playing bingo and slot machines at the casino, where she was a regular customer.
The family of Assad expressed their relief and gratitude after the verdict and the sentencing.
They said that they hoped that Williams and Townsel would repent and seek forgiveness from God.
They also said that they forgave them, but that they would never forget what they did to their beloved mother and grandmother.
The case also drew attention to Leonard, who was in the midst of his first season with the Clippers.
Leonard did not comment publicly on the case, but sources close to him said he was devastated and heartbroken by the news.
Conclusion
The story of Kawhi Leonard’s sister is a shocking and tragic one, that shows how one bad decision can have devastating consequences.
It also shows how fame and fortune can not shield anyone from the troubles and tragedies of life.
It reminds us that we should cherish our loved ones and appreciate our blessings because we never know what tomorrow may bring.
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