ST. LOUIS — A second man was sentenced in connection with the kidnapping and death of a woman with disabilities.
Darris Williams, 37, pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree involuntary manslaughter and first-degree kidnapping in the May 23, 2021, death of Lynette Lecates. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in exchange for his guilty plea.
Williams is the second person to the sentenced in the case. Anthony Newberry was sentenced to 20 years in prison in August after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
According to police, Newberry and Williams stole Lecates' debit card, but could not use it because they didn't know her PIN. When she refused to give them her PIN, police said they beat her, forced her into the trunk of Newberry's car, and drove her to a park.
Police said they pulled her out of the trunk, pulled out Lecates' dialysis port, and put her back in the trunk.
Ultimately, police said Williams and Newberry took Lecates out of the trunk, beat her, took her personal items, and left her for dead. On May 23, a passerby found her on some railroad tracks in the 3800 block of Walsh Street in south city. She was alive but critically injured with face and head trauma, rib fractures, and a collarbone fracture.
Lecates died from her injuries more than two weeks later. She was 41 years old.
The investigation into Lecate’s death took a turn after Newberry’s car was involved in a crash. Police said blood was found in his trunk. Detectives then spoke with a witness who they said gave them information about what happened and identified Newberry and Williams as suspects in the case.
While in custody at the City Justice Center, Newberry was accused of working with others to kidnap a 70-year-old corrections officer on Aug. 22, 2023. A court hearing in that case is set for Aug. 16.
