The third-degree murder conviction of a Jeannette woman serving up to 30 years in prison for the beating death of her live-in boyfriend nearly four years ago will stand.
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani this week denied the appeal of Crystal Belle, who contended evidence presented against her during a six-day jury trial last year was insufficient to warrant a guilty verdict.
Prosecutors said Belle, 40, used the wooden handle from a snow shovel to repeatedly beat to death 19-year-old Khalil Parker during one of many violent confrontations between the couple. Parker’s battered and bruised body was found in the home near shoe stings police said were used to tie him to a bed.
“The court finds that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient for the jury to conclude that the defendant inflicted multiple injuries to Parker and such conduct created an extremely high risk of death or serious bodily injury, thereby demonstrating a wanton and reckless disregard for human life,” Feliciani wrote a 13-page opinion.
Evidence during the trial revealed Parker sustained more than 100 injuries over his body, including a head wound and smaller cuts and bruises on his neck, chest, arms, legs and genitals. An autopsy revealed he died from blood loss because of an accumulation of injuries and not one specific wound.
Belle has maintained her innocence. She testified during the trial that she and Parker engaged in violent sex games but that he received many of his injuries during an altercation with someone else outside of their Jeannette home. During her sentencing hearing in January, when Belle was ordered to serve 15-t0-30 years in prison, she claimed she lashed out at Parker and beat him with the wooden object after he became too rough during sex.
