Co-defendant in McKeesport slayings pleads guilty to third-degree murder

A McKeesport man was sentenced to 10 to 40 years in prison Wednesday in connection with the shooting deaths of two women in 2017.

Miras Moortell Kelly II, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and a firearms violation, as well as three counts of robbery.

Mike Manko, spokesman for Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., said the office agreed to the sentence in exchange for Kelly’s plea.

Kimberly Lesko, 55, and her sister, Melodie Lesko, 52, were killed in the 2017 shooting. A man in the home was also shot and survived.

A second man charged in the killings, Kylee Lankford of Monroeville, was convicted last July on a number of charges, including two counts of second-degree murder. Kelly testified against Lankford, who is currently serving two consecutive life sentences, Manko said.

Police were called to a report of a shooting at Melodie Lesko’s Gross Street home in McKeesport early Sept. 1, 2017. A 911 caller told police he heard multiple gunshots, and found that the two women, as well as a man, had all been shot in the face, according to a criminal complaint.

Both women died at the scene. The man was taken to UPMC Mercy.

A witness told police they had been with Lankford and Kelly the morning of the shooting. As they were walking to a gas station, Lankford said he needed money and he intended to “rob” someone. The witness told police Lankford had a gun. The witness also had a gun, which they gave to Lankford, according to the complaint.

Lankford and Kelly stopped in front of Lesko’s house while the witness went home. After returning home, the witness told another person that Lankford and Kelly were going to rob someone in the alley. The witness subsequently heard four gunshots, the complaint said.

Lankford and Kelly went to the witness’ residence, where Lankford relayed that he had just shot and killed three people, according to the complaint.

Lankford said when he and Kelly entered the residence, he went to the back room on the first floor and shot a man that was lying on the couch while Kelly stayed out in the front room with the two women, the complaint said.

According to the witness, Lankford said after he shot the man, his gun jammed. He then went to the living room, took Kelly’s gun, and shot both women before the two ran from the house.