Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard’s sister sentenced to life in prison for 2019 murder at casino

LOS ANGELES — The sister of Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was one of two women who was sentenced Friday to life in prison without parole for the murder of a woman at a casino in Temecula, California, in 2019.

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Kimesha Williams, the basketball player’s older sister, and Candace Townsel were both convicted in February for the murder of Afaf Assad, 84, according to ESPN. Assad was murdered at Pechanga Resort and Casino.

Officials say, according to The Press-Enterprise, that Williams and Townsel followed Assad into the bathroom at the casino on Aug. 31, 2019. They reportedly broke her skull and stole her purse. Assad died days later on Sept. 4.

Williams denied killing Assad in a statement that her attorney read at her sentencing hearing, ESPN reported.

Williams’ relationship with Leonard was confirmed to The Press-Enterprise. A relative named Denise Woodard told the newspaper that Leonard and Williams were brother and sister in 2019. Leonard was not involved in the crime.

Williams reportedly had prior convictions including grand theft, grand theft auto, and attempted robbery, according to court records obtained by The Press-Enterprise.

Williams and Townsel were sentenced Friday for first-degree murder, ESPN reported.

Both Williams and Townsel received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to KTLA.