Taxi Operator Convicted for Brutal Murder of Wife in Front of Son

,Manchester – A Manchester family breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday as Kevon “Nice” Lesley, a taxi operator, was found guilty of murdering his wife, Shadae Brown, in a shocking attack witnessed by her 11-year-old son three years ago.

The seven-member jury returned the verdict after a two-week trial in the Manchester Circuit Court. Judge Grace Henry McKenzie read the guilty verdict, and sentencing for Lesley is scheduled for February 26. His attorney, Norman Godfrey, declined comment ahead of sentencing.

Outside the courthouse, Brown’s family expressed relief and gratitude. Millicent Laird, grandmother of the late woman’s son, said, “We got justice for her. It has been three long years carrying this heavy burden. Her son, her mother, and all of us can finally feel a measure of peace.”

The child, who testified during the trial, had been present when Lesley attacked his mother with three knives, ignoring the children’s pleas for mercy. Brown’s mother, Donna Walker-Ellis, recalled how Lesley threatened the boy during the murder, saying, “‘Move from yah suh before mi stab you too.’”

Police reports indicated the incident followed a domestic dispute in Newport, Manchester, around 8:30 p.m. Lesley then fled the scene, leaving the children locked inside the house with their mother’s body. After hours of trying to escape, the 11-year-old alerted neighbours, who helped transport Brown to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Walker-Ellis described the profound trauma experienced by the children. “Even now, it is hard on the baby,” she said, recalling her grandson’s distress. “He runs up and down when you ask him about it. The memories are still raw.”

Reflecting on her daughter’s life, Laird described Brown as “very humble, kind, and hard-working,” noting that she had been employed as a surgical assistant at a private medical facility for nearly eight months before her death. Laird also recounted the complex relationship between Brown and Lesley, who had separated in January 2023 before reconciling briefly just weeks prior to the murder.

Tuesday’s verdict drew praise from the community, with relatives and neighbours celebrating the closure after years of grief. “We prayed and fasted, asking God for strength. Today, justice has been served,” Laird said. Walker-Ellis echoed the sentiment: “No tears go unnoticed, no sin goes unpunished. God has answered our prayers.”

The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and the devastating impact on children who witness such crimes. For Brown’s family, the conviction represents not only justice for her death but a step toward healing for the young boy who endured the horror firsthand