Lesli Jett found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in death of 4-year-old boy

Posted on July 12, 2021
The jury in the trial of Lesli Jett handed down the verdict Monday afternoon in Tazewell County Court. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

TAZEWELL COUNTY – The Tazewell County woman accused of murder in her boyfriend’s 4-year-old son’s death has been found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated abuse of a child.

The jury in the trial of Lesli Jett handed down the verdict Monday afternoon in Tazewell County Court.

The boy, Tate Thurman, died on February 20, 2020, after going into cardiac arrest in his home.

Jett was arrested six days later during a traffic stop in Creve Coeur.

Jett was facing three murder charges in the boy’s death, as well as the aggravated battery charge.

During the trial, a forensic pathologist, Dr. Amanda Youmans, said she found 260 internal and external injuries during an autopsy of the 4-year-old’s body, 84 of those were on the boy’s head and face.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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