LIHUE — The man who stabbed his girlfriend to death and hid her body in a closet for two weeks was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Former Alaska resident Steven M. Wilson, 27, was handed a life sentence with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder. He pleaded to an amended charge May 27 to avoid a trial.
The family of Kendra “Kenny” Elizabeth Lewis, 21, traveled from the Mainland to attend the sentencing. Lewis died from multiple stab wounds in the bedroom of her Kawaihau Sports Villa condo in Kapaa. Her body was discovered on April 26, 2013, around two weeks after she was believed to have been murdered.
“I truly hope that the sentencing of Mr. Wilson today will bring some sense of closure to the family,” Judge Kathleen Watanabe said.
As a mother herself, Watanabe said she could not comprehend the pain and suffering of the surviving family over the way Lewis died. She said there was some confusion about parole eligibility, and explained that the state Paroling Authority would decide.
The state will argue for a 40-year minimum term before Wilson is eligible for parole. If the Paroling Authority agrees, he would 67 years old before becoming eligible.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melinda Mendes said Wilson stabbed Lewis twice in the abdomen, in her chest, cheek, neck, legs and left arm. He stabbed her in the voice box so that she would not scream, she added.
In statements to the court, Wilson said not a day goes by that he does not think about Lewis and what he did to her. Wilson said he understands his pain is nothing compared to what the family must feel.
The surviving mother and sister of Lewis flew to Kauai from Alaska to address the court at the sentencing hearing.
Kyna Lewis, of Las Vegas, recalled light-hearted moments that bonded the two sisters growing up. She lamented over never having another chance to tell her she loved her.
The sense of loss of knowing the two won’t be together for weddings, kids and graduations was devastating, Kyna added, but the worst was having to carry a lasting memory of “the way she was taken from this life.”
Maria Ketchum, of Anchorage, said Wilson did not kill one person but took a big part of the lives of everyone who knew and loved her daughter Kendra. She said Wilson should feel every day of his life the pain they felt when they learned Kendra died, and of how she had died.
“He has changed all of our lives forever,” Ketchum said.
The family begged Lewis to leave Wilson and not to go to Kauai with him, Ketchum said. In their last conversations, Ketchum said that her educated, talented artist daughter was preparing to leave Wilson and return to Anchorage, and believes he killed her rather than let her go.
“He is an evil person,” she said.
Court-appointed defense attorney Craig De Costa said Wilson is making no excuses and expresses remorse over the murder and the circumstances of the victim’s death. He said Wilson has redeeming qualities and will go to prison with the hopes of someday returning to society.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Kendra Lewis,” County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said. “We cannot imagine the suffering they have endured as a result of this defendant’s actions, and we hope that this measure of justice will bring them some amount of relief.”
