Murder charged

Court records show Cynthia Williams made a cry for help just two months before her husband is accused of killing her.

Lester Williams, 53, was charged with first-degree murder today. Autopsy results showed Cynthia Williams was strangled to death, according to Iberia Parish Coroner Dr. James Falterman’s office.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert said deputies responded to the home Monday after Lester Williams called to tell them his wife was not breathing. He said deputies found Cynthia Williams lying on a bed in the home, unresponsive.

The incident was not the first in which authorities were called to the Williams’ home, according to court records.

On Dec. 16, Iberia Parish sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call from Cynthia Williams, 52. Deputies found broken glass on the kitchen floor and Cynthia Williams “crying and shaking,” according to an affidavit for Lester Williams’ arrest.

“Deputies asked Mrs. Williams if she was all right and she stated, ‘no’ in a real low voice,” the report states. “Deputies then asked Mrs. Williams if she needed help. Mrs. Williams again stated in a real low voice, ‘Please help me.’”

Cynthia Williams told deputies she had tried to use the phone at her home, but it wouldn’t work, so she went to a neighbor’s house. She said, when she came back home, her husband began yelling and cursing at her.

“Mrs. Williams stated Mr. Williams then grabbed her by the hair, and then punched her behind the head,” the report states. “Deputies observed a knot on the back of her head where she was hit. Deputies also noticed a small cut on the bridge of her nose.”

Deputies then spoke to Lester Williams, who said nothing happened. He said he had been lying down in bed with his wife.

Lester Williams was arrested that night for domestic abuse battery. He was on probation at the time after being convicted of the second-degree battery of his wife earlier that year.

Following Williams’ arrest, his probation officer, Jamie Legnon, filed a motion to revoke his probation, according to court records. He served 56 days in jail.

But when it came time for Williams to appear in court on Feb. 13, his wife wrote a letter to District Judge Paul deMahy, asking that the charges be dropped.

“I do not want to pursue this case,” she wrote. “Lester and I have two children, and I can already see that this would be detrimental. Also, Lester and I have been together since 1983. I wouldn’t trade those years and our children for anything.”

DeMahy ordered Williams be released to his mother, Pearl Williams, on the condition that he live with her at her home in Cade. He also ordered him to have no contact with Cythia Williams.

Cynthia Williams had obtained a permanent restraining order against her husband following his arrest for second-degree battery in 2004.

In that incident, sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic dispute at Williams’ former residence on Eden Street.

Upon arrival, deputies observed “severe swelling and bruises” on Cynthia Williams’ face and blood coming out of her right ear, the report states.

Cynthia Williams told deputies she and her husband had an altercation about her allegedly being involved with another man. She went to Iberia Medical Center for treatment.

Lester Williams was eventually convicted of second-degree battery and sentenced to five years in jail, but a judge suspended the sentence and placed him on probation.

Hebert said the new criminal case against Lester Williams will be submitted to the 16th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. If convicted, he could face a possible death penalty.