Maleke Pate Sentenced to Four Life Terms Without Parole for Brutal Tacoma Quadruple Murder; Victims’ Families Share Emotional Testimonies in Court
In a devastating conclusion to a tragic case, Maleke Pate was sentenced to four life terms without the possibility of parole for the brutal murder of four individuals in Tacoma, Washington, in October 2021. The victims included Maria Nunez-lese, 42, her son Emery Iese, 19, Maria’s brother Raymond William, 22, and Raymond’s girlfriend, Natasha Brincefield, 22.
A jury found Pate guilty of the quadruple murder in March, and on Friday, the victims’ families had the opportunity to address the court during sentencing. Seven family members shared emotional testimonies, expressing their grief and pain. One family member poignantly stated, “Seventeen years is not enough with your mom, your big brother.”
The sentencing hearing was disrupted by Pate himself, who claimed, “You have no DNA of me, so how am I the one who committed this murder. There’s nothing that points to me.” Despite his protests, the judge ruled that Pate would watch the remainder of the hearing via Zoom.
The victims’ families shared heart-wrenching stories of their loved ones, remembering their lives and the impact of their loss. Maria’s husband emotionally stated, “My wife Maria, we met at 13, separated by death.” Natasha’s sister asked the court, “Did he look her in the eyes when he pulled that gun?”
Before sentencing, Pate’s attorneys pleaded with the court to consider his mental illness, but the judge ultimately handed down the maximum sentence. The victims’ families finally received the justice they had been waiting for, bringing closure to a tragic chapter in their lives.
The judge acknowledged the immense pain in the courtroom, stating, “There are truly no words that I can use to describe the magnitude of grief and pain in this courtroom.” The sentence brings an end to a nearly three-hour-long hearing and a two-year-long ordeal for the families.
A restitution hearing is scheduled for August 2, and while it won’t bring back their loved ones, the families can find solace in knowing that justice has been served. The community comes together to support the families and remember the lives lost in this senseless tragedy.
In the face of unimaginable loss, the families of Maria, Emery, Raymond, and Natasha have shown remarkable strength and resilience. Their loved ones will never be forgotten, and their memories will live on through the impact they had on those around them.
