California man who fatally beat his grandmother because she bit his tongue is sentenced

FORBESTOWN, Calif. (TCN) -- A man will spend decades behind bars for the "brutal killing" of his grandmother in their home over a goodnight kiss.

The Butte County District Attorney’s Office announced Jan. 8 that 38-year-old Kenneth Lewis pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the death of 80-year-old Violet MacGregor. He received a sentence of 25 years to life.

According to prosecutors, on Jan. 21, 2024, Lewis called the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and reported that he found his grandmother, MacGregor, deceased in their residence. An autopsy later revealed MacGregor died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck. She had sustained "brutal injuries" to her head, neck, torso, and she suffered a broken hyoid bone in the neck, as well as broken ribs.

The defendant admitted to responding deputies and Cal Fire personnel that he killed MacGregor, who was found naked and deceased in a pool of blood in a bathroom tub. Investigators reportedly found bloodstains on the bed, carpet, and on the walls and furniture in the bedroom, indicating a struggle had occurred.

Authorities subsequently arrested Lewis, after which detectives reportedly noticed injuries on his feet, as well as swollen knuckles and hands. Lewis confessed to officials that he attacked his grandmother by "beating her with his fists and then kicking her while she was on the floor of her bedroom."

According to prosecutors, Lewis said that on the night of Jan. 20, 2024, he went to kiss his grandmother goodnight but "became upset when she bit his tongue." The defendant allegedly attacked his grandmother before dragging her into the tub where she was found.

Lewis reportedly told detectives "he could hear the victim breathing heavily when she was in the tub, but he left to go to sleep." Lewis said he didn’t realize she was dead until he woke up the following morning. However, investigators found evidence, including bloody paper towels, cleaning wipes in the trash, and blood smears, suggesting Lewis had tried to clean up the scene and wasn’t actually asleep.

MacGregor reportedly suffered a stroke around a week before the fatal beating.

Prosecutors said the defendant told the judge he "was sorry for what he had done and he would have to live with the shame he brought upon himself and his family forever."

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