Las Vegas man who broke into 85-year-old woman’s apartment, killing her, takes plea deal

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man who broke into an 85-year-old woman’s apartment and punched her, which caused her death a week later, will serve at least 25 years in prison, documents said.

Demetrius Walker, 29, agreed to plead guilty to a murder charge last week, records said. Because of the victim’s age, the charge carries a sentencing enhancement.

Mary Lacella died a week after Walker broke down her door at her apartment in a complex near Sunset Road and Whitney Ranch Drive in April 2021.

Lacella suffered a brain bleed, extensive head and facial injuries and later cardiac arrest, according to information in Walker’s arrest report.

As part of a plea agreement, a judge could sentence Walker to a minimum of 25 years to more than 50 to life. The agreement came weeks before Walker’s trial was scheduled to begin.

Walker agreed to speak with the 8 News Now Investigators in 2021 but denied a request to record the conversation.

“I remember looking through cars, and then I remember knocking on someone’s door and asking if I could crash,” he said about the morning of April 21. “I remember knocking on one door and no one answered, and I remember kicking it in. I heard someone scream. I panicked, turned out and ran.”

“I pray for her,” Walker said. “I’m sorry to the victim’s family. I pray for them every day. I accept everything I did. I acknowledge it.”

A judge was scheduled to sentence Walker on March 26.

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