Inset left: Jermard Lewis (Allen County Sheriff”s Department). Inset right: Perla Nieto (Divine Mercy Funeral Home). Background: The Kroger grocery store where the killing took place in Waynedale, Indiana (Google Maps).
An Indiana man accused of fatally stabbing a grocery store employee in the middle of the day is close to hearing his fate.
Jermard Lewis, 32, has been charged with the murder of 59-year-old Perla Nieto in December 2023. Their encounter appeared to stem from a misunderstanding that turned into a disagreement, which Lewis reportedly would not let go.
At about 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 7, 2023, Lewis and his girlfriend were at the Kroger grocery store in Waynedale, Indiana, where Nieto worked. Lewis thought he heard his name on the store’s intercom system and approached Nieto, who denied having called his name, local CBS affiliate WANE reported, citing court documents and evidence presented at trial.
Lewis appeared less than convinced, telling Nieto that if she did call him, it was “rude.” While he maintained he wasn’t being antagonistic, other witnesses reportedly said he was. It was also revealed during the trial this week that a name that sounded similar to Lewis was the one spoken over the intercom.
Still, this encounter was not yet over. Lewis is said to have called a manager over, who attempted to defuse the situation. Lewis testified in court this week that the manager told him he could continue shopping, but claimed Nieto told him multiple times to “shut up” and ordered him to leave, WANE reported.
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Lewis and his girlfriend did indeed leave – but the situation was not resolved, and he felt disrespected by Nieto. Lewis then dropped his girlfriend off at her home, got changed, and returned to the store.
About 35 minutes after the initial dispute, Lewis returned – allegedly with the intention of speaking with the manager again and resolving things. But, according to the suspect, Nieto is the first person he saw, so he approached her and put his hand on her shoulder, at which time he claimed that she “swung” at him.
Lewis admitted to stabbing Nieto but claimed his intention was never to kill her. When asked how many times he stabbed her with the pocket knife he kept in his car, he reportedly responded, “enough times not to care.”
Court records show Lewis’ defense team initially attempted an insanity defense, though that defense was later withdrawn. The defense has since suggested he should be charged with manslaughter – not murder – given Lewis’ testimony that he did not plan to kill Nieto, WANE reported.
Nieto has been remembered as a “wonderful, kind and caring wife, mother, and grandmother, who will be dearly missed,” according to her obituary.
Closing arguments were set to be held on Friday morning. Jurors will then deliberate.
