Apr 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns
(New York, NY) — According to ESPN, Kimesha Williams—the sister of Los Angeles Clipper star basketball player Kawhi Leonard—was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering 84-year-old Afaf Assad in 2019.
Williams and accomplice Candace Towsell robbed and killed Assad at the Pechanga Resort Casino in California. They followed Assad into a bathroom and shattered her skull before committing the robbery. Both women were found guilty of first-degree murder and elder abuse in February.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Townsell and Williams were trawling the casino in the predawn hours of Aug. 31, 2019, stealing a woman’s mobile phone and trying to scope out other targets for theft.
“Both have a long-documented history of theft crimes throughout Riverside County,” according to the prosecution’s trial brief.
Williams was arrested on Sept. 3 while Towsell was seized on Sept. 5. Williams’ aunt confirmed at the time of the murder that her niece was the brother of Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard and the Clippers are currently in the NBA playoffs matched up against the Phoenix Suns.
