TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Pierce County, Wash., prosecutor has charged a 23-year-old man with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend.
Joseph Lester pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the Monday night death of 21-year-old Kiesha Lewis. A judge set bail at $2 million.
An Amber Alert was issued after Lester fled with the couple’s 9-month-old daughter. Hours later he brought the unharmed baby with him when he surrendered at a Puyallup hospital.
The woman’s 2-year-old son was unharmed at the University Place home where she was found dead. An autopsy showed she had been stabbed numerous times.
The boy and baby girl are now in the care of the state.
