Kawhi Leonard’s sister sentenced to life in prison for 2019 murder
FILE – Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers stands for the national anthem before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 02, 2023 in San Francisco, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP
The sister of NBA star Kawhi Leonard is one of two women sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of an elderly woman in a Southern California casino in 2019.
Kimesha Williams, the older sister of Leonard, and Candace Townsell were convicted in February for the murder of 84-year-old Afaf Assad in a bathroom at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Sentencing for the first-degree murder convictions was handed down Friday.
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to reports, Williams and Townsell went to the casino on Aug. 31, 2019, and Assad and her husband entered with a purse containing approximately $1,000 for gambling.
When Assad went into a bathroom, Williams allegedly followed her and Townsell stayed outside to be the lookout.
A short time later, a woman in another stall heard a loud thud. Williams and Townsell were seen fleeing to the exit.
Article continues after this advertisementAssad was found bleeding on the floor. She had a fractured skull and died four days later.
Williams denied killing Assad in a statement read by her attorney at the sentencing hearing.
Kawhi Leonard grew up in the Riverside area and developed into a college star at San Diego State before becoming one of the NBA’s top players. He is a two-time NBA Finals MVP and has won NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors. He now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard’s father, Mark, was a murder victim in 2008.
