Man Convicted to 40 Years for Second-Degree Murder in Fatal Shooting After Traffic Incident in Baden

After a small traffic incident last year, a woman was shot and killed, and a man was found guilty. In 2022, Douglas Shelton-Herron, then 27 years old, was charged with the murder of Lekeisha Stokes, then 39. After a jury found the defendant guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison—30 years for the murder charge and 10 years for the armed criminal action allegation.

According to court documents, the terrible incident that resulted in Stokes’s death took place in the Baden district. Stokes unintentionally sideswiped Shelton-Herron’s Jaguar after going to a karaoke event. Stokes was driving a Kia when he lost control at an intersection and collided with his parked car in the 8500 block of Church Street. The accident infuriated Shelton-Herron, who retaliated by firing an assault rifle at Stokes’ vehicle twelve times. According to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office website, she screamed, “I’m sorry! I beg you to save her life! I apologize! According to a passenger in Shelton-Herron’s own car, “Don’t shoot!” This detail is supported by police surveillance tape that shows the horrifying incident.

The prosecutor’s dedication to justice for victims of violent crimes is demonstrated by the severity of the sentencing. The message was clear, according to a statement released by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office: “This sentence sends a clear message that the Circuit Attorney’s Office will pursue justice vigorously for victims of violent crimes.” The statement read, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim, and we hope this verdict brings them some measure of closure.” They also offered their condolences to Stokes’ family.

The prosecution’s case was handled by Assistant Circuit Attorney Katherine Ware-Russek and Special Assistant Circuit Attorney Gordon Ankney of Thompson Coburn LLP.

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