A 29-year-old Missouri man, Anthony Newberry, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the kidnapping and brutal murder of Lynette Lecates, a disabled woman.
Newberry, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping.
In May 2021, Newberry and his co-defendant, Darris Williams, allegedly stole Lecates’ debit card. Unable to withdraw money without her PIN, they resorted to violence, repeatedly beating Lecates and confining her to the trunk of Newberry’s car. They even tore out her dialysis port during one of the assaults.
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Finally, they abandoned Lecates near railroad tracks, where she was found by police and rushed to the hospital. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries two weeks later.
Newberry was arrested the same morning for driving while intoxicated. Blood found in his car linked him to the crime. He claimed to have no memory of the incident, blaming his co-defendant. Williams is awaiting trial in October.
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“The ruthless actions of this violent individual clearly show that he is a menace to society,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “We hope this sentence will provide a measure of solace to Ms. Lecates’s loved ones.”
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