Who is Kimesha Williams? Kawhi Leonard’s sister sentenced to life for murdering 84-year-old Afaf Assad

Kimesha Williams, the sister of Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard, was handed a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of murdering an elderly woman.

Williams was charged and later convicted of first-degree murder, robbery, and elder abuse back in February. On Friday, she was handed her sentence. Candace Townsell, 42, also received the same conviction and sentence for the murder which took place in 2019.

Who is Kimesha Williams?

Kimesha Monae Williams is 39 years old. She and her friend, Townsell, were at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, when Afaf Assad, 84, arrived with her husband. They pair waiting till Assad to a bathroom. While Townsell played lookout, Williams went into the bathroom and blocked a custodian from entering the washroom.

Assad was carrying around $1,000 in her purse containing for gambling. When Assad was found by first responders, her skull was fractured and she was bleeding from the head. Her purse was missing. She ended up losing her life four days later.

Williams had a criminal history even before being convicted of murder. Back in 2015, Williams was banned from the same casino after she stole a wallet with the help of an accomplice. Denise Woodard, Williams’ aunt confirmed that Kimesha is Leonard’s sister. It has been reported, however, that Leonard has tried to distance himself from his sister after the incident.

“This has been a long, painful journey through the criminal court justice system,” Mary, the victim’s daughter, said in the victim impact statement. “I still can’t believe my mother was the victim of a violent crime. … Part of me died in that hospital room with her. My father is without his wife and partner and is isolated and alone in a way we cannot begin to understand … We seek not vengeance but there needs to be a reckoning for their heinous act.”

Williams still maintains that she did not kill anyone in a statement.  “I am so sorry for your loss,” Williams’ statement read. “I have been praying for you and your family every day. I am not responsible for the death of Mrs. Assad. Although the courts have found me guilty of the charges, we all know the truth, and that there is one judge, and that is God, and that he knows the truth.”