PITTSBURGH — Two people have been arrested in a 2022 home invasion that left one man dead and a woman injured in Pittsburgh’s Knoxville neighborhood.
Deonte Kidd, 30, and Le’Juane Powell, 31, have been charged with criminal homicide in the death of 52-year-old-Victor Sawyer.
On Nov. 10, 2022, Police and medics were called to the 100 block of Zara Street. Sawyer was found stabbed to death inside the home. A woman suffered significant injuries to her face.
In addition to criminal homicide, Kidd is charged with conspiracy, burglary, robbery-inflict serious bodily harm, possession of a firearm prohibited, unlawful restraint, and recklessly endangering another person.
Powell is charged with conspiracy, burglary, rape, robbery, aggravated indecent assault, unlawful restraint, possession of a firearm prohibited and recklessly endangering another person.
Kidd was taken to the Allegheny County Jail. Powell was already incarcerated on unrelated charges.
Both Powell and Kidd were sentenced in 2024 for their roles in the murder of Kenneth Lennex.
Powell took a plea deal and received 22 to 44 years behind bars. He’s accused of shooting Lennex in the head eight times and hiding his body in a wooded area in Elliott. Kidd was sentenced to probation.
“I’m appalled,” Kenneth’s mom Cindy told Channel 11, reacting to the news of the pair’s alleged involvement.
According to a criminal complaint, while investigating Lennex’s murder, police recovered a cell phone that contained pictures, texts and videos relating to Sawyer’s death.
“My son’s murder solved this case, unfortunately,” Lennex said.
“What really aggravates me is they had this video evidence and let Deonte Kidd walk for the next year and some change,” she said.
She tells Channel 11 the whole process has shaken her belief in the system.
“I got to admit, I don’t have faith in the justice system, so I don’t hold out hope. But, at the same time, I’ll be at every one of their hearings. They’ll see my face. They’ll see my son’s face on a shirt.”
Cindy now takes care of Kenneth’s children. She’s made that her mission.
We asked her if seeing this through would become part of that mission.
“Oh yeah. I’ll never have closure. But, that’s the day I’ll have satisfaction.”
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