A woman was found guilty Wednesday in the killing of her 17-year-old brother years ago inside the family’s Silver Spring home.
A jury found Leaundra Matthews, 25, of Accokeek in Prince George’s County, guilty of second-degree murder in the 2017 death of Christian Matthews, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office (MCSAO).
She faces up to 30 years in prison, according to MCSAO. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2024.
Per MCSAO, the teen boy was attacked and fatally strangled by the defendant’s boyfriend and another co-defendant while he was sleeping in the family’s home in Silver Spring in March 2017.
Tysean Lipford, 26 — Leaundra Matthews’ boyfriend — was convicted for second-degree murder in the teen’s death and is currently serving a 30-year sentence.
Also, Lemae Matthews — Leaundra Matthews’ twin sister — pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder.
The other co-defendant charged with murder, Daniel Howard, has a trial scheduled for April 2024, according to MCSAO.
Lemae Matthews will be sentenced after Howard’s trial, according to MCSAO.
In a written statement, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said, “This defendant was integral to the plot to kill Christian Matthews and served as the driver, both to and from, the scene of the murder. She executed a significant cover up operation to deflect responsibility, but thanks to the work of the Montgomery County Police Homicide Unit and Assistant State’s Attorneys Ashley Inderfurth and Sheila Bagheri, she will now be held accountable.”
